He attended the University of Vienna, where he earned a doctorate in theology in 1849.

After his ordination he worked in the Archdiocese of Vienna in the parish of Saint Leopold.

On 1 June 1891, Pope Leo created him a cardinal priest.

[1] He was assigned the titular church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the consistory of 14 December 1891.

[2] He participated in the conclave of 1903 that elected Pope Pius X and refused to issue the veto of Emperor Franz Josef I against Cardinal Rampolla; however, that veto was issued by Cardinal Puzyna.