Jump to content

Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Brady, Thomas

From Wikisource
762382Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 06 — Brady, Thomas1886Henry Manners Chichester

BRADY, THOMAS (1752?–1827), general (feldzeugmeister) in the Austrian army, was born at Cavan, Ireland (one account has it Cootehill), some time between October 1752 and May 1753. He entered the Austrian service on 1 Nov. 1769. In the list for that date his name appears as 'Peter,' but in all subsequent rolls he is called 'Thomas.' He served till 4 April 1774 as a cadet in the infantry regiment 'Wied.' On 10 April 1774 he was promoted ensign in the infantry regiment 'Fabri;' he became lieutenant 30 Nov. 1775, first or ober-lieutenant 20 March 1784, and captain in 1788. He distinguished himself as a lieutenant at Habelschwerdt in 1778, and received the Maria Theresa cross for personal bravery at the storming of Novi on 3 Nov. 1788, during the Turkish war. He was appointed major 20 July 1790, served on the staff till 1793, and on 1 April of that year was nominated lieutenant-colonel of the corps of Tyrolese sharpshooters. He was transferred on 21 Dec. to the infantry regiment 'Murray,' of which he became colonel on 6 Feb. 1794, and fought with it at Frankenthal, in General Latour's corps, in 1795, and distinguished himself on 19 June 1796 at Ukerad. He was promoted to major-general 6 Sept. 1796, in which rank he served in Italy and commanded at Cattaro in 1799. He became lieutenant-general 28 Jan. 1801, and in 1803 was given the honorary colonelcy of the 'Imperial' or first regiment of infantry. In 1804 he was appointed governor of Dalmatia. In 1807 he was made a privy councillor in recognition of his services as a general of division in Bohemia. In 1809 be took a leading part in the battle of Aspern, a large portion of the Austrian army being under his conduct. General Brady was retired on the pension of a full general on 8 Sept. 1800, and died on 16 Oct. 1827.

[Archives of the Imperial Royal Ministry of War, Vienna; information from local sources.]