[1] Being from a well-off noble family, young Hans Wilczek made intensive travels and studied archaeology, art history as well as natural sciences.

From 1872 to 1874, he provided for the S/X Admiral Tegetthoff research vessel and elaborate preparations of the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition, led by Julius Payer and Karl Weyprecht from 1872 to 1874.

For this he chartered the schooner Isbjørn, which had already been employed by Weyprecht and Payer for a reconnaissance trip in 1871, and hired Johan Kjeldsen as captain.

Professor Hans Höfer von Heimhalt [de] accompanied them in the capacity of geologist.

The Austrian polar station on Jan Mayen Island was built and equipped in 1882 fully at his own costs.

[7] He also backed the equipment of the Vienna Museum of Military History as a member of the board of trustees.

This monumental mansion north of Vienna is now a museum that houses his extensive art collections.