Juraj Rukavina Vidovgradski (soldier, born in 1777)
# Juraj Rukavina Vidovgradski (soldier, born in 1777)

Baron Juraj Rukavina Vidovgradski (21 March 1777 – 9 September 1849) was a Croatian soldier and politician. Rukavina fought in the Napoleonic Wars and against the Ottoman Empire, rising to the rank of the General of the Artillery. He held several commands, including that of the Ban of Croatia Brigade based in Petrinja, a divisional command in Petrovaradin and the command of the Timișoara Fortress. The Ban of Croatia also appointed Rukavina the vice-captain of the Kingdom of Croatia. Rukavina was a member of the Sabor of the Kingdom of Croatia where he held his inaugural speech in the Croatian language in 1832, long before it became the official language of the Sabor.

## Biography

### Start of military career

Juraj Rukavina was born in the village of Trnovac near Gospić in the Kingdom of Croatia, then a part of the Habsburg Monarchy to father Dujam (Duje). Dujam was awarded hereditary status of Austrian nobility in 1800 and the title "Vidovgradski" (lit. of Vidovgrad) for his military service. Rukavina attended military school in Gospić and joined the Ogulin Regiment of the Croatian Military Frontier in 1793. With the regiment, Rukavina took part in the War of the First Coalition. He also took part in the 1809 Battle of Landshut and the Battle of Aspern-Essling by which time he was promoted to the rank of Major.

### Commands held

In 1814–1819, Rukavina held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Otočac Regiment, before assuming command of the Ogulin Regiment. In 1829, he was promoted to the rank of Major General and given command of the brigade of the Ban of Croatia based in Petrinja and he held that post until 1833. The Ban of Croatia also appointed Rukavina the vice-captain of the Kingdom of Croatia. For his conduct in the 1833 Battle of Velika Kladuša against the Ottoman Empire, Rukavina was awarded the Order of Leopold by emperor Ferdinand I of Austria. In 1836–1840, Rukavina was the divisional commander in Petrovaradin, holding the rank of lieutenant field marshal. In 1840, Rukavina was awarded the title of baron. In the same year he received the command of the Timișoara Fortress and the Military Order of Maria Theresa. Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria granted Rukavina the Order of the Iron Crown and the Order of Saint George and the rank of the General of the Artillery.

### Family life and parliamentary service

Rukavina married Cecilia Volgenut Greiftal in Timișoara in 1810 and had daugter Marija and son Alfred. He was a member of the Sabor of Croatia where he held his inaugural speech in the Croatian language in 1832, well before start of the Croatian national revival, contributing to affirmation of the national language. Rukavina was killed defending the Timișoara Fortress during the Hungarian Revolution and was buried in the St. George Cathedral in the city.

