Having studied law at the university of his native city, he in 1850 was appointed assistant librarian, and in 1852 privatdozent, at his alma mater.

The following year he was called to Prague as assistant professor at the university, and in 1855 to Vienna in a similar capacity.

In 1867, he was successively elected a member of the Austrian Landtag and of the Reichsrat; but on account of ill health he had to resign in the following year.

Appointed in 1869 by the Emperor Franz Joseph a life-member of the House of Lords, he soon became the whip of the Liberal Party.

[1] Of Unger's works the following may be mentioned: This Austrian history article is a stub.