Leopold Anton Freiherr von Firmian or Leopold Anton Eleutherius von Firmian was Catholic Bishop of Lavant 1718-1724, Bishop of Seckau 1724-1727 and Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg from 1727 until his death.
Background
He was born in Munich, on his father"s side to the Freiherren (Barons) dynasty von Firmian descending from Sigmundskron (Formigar) Castle in Tyrol, by virtue of being the son of Countess Maria Viktoria von Thun and the Imperial envoy Franz Wilhelm Freiherr von Firmian.
Career
Firmian had prepared for an ecclesiastical career, received his ordination in Rome in 1707 and became provost of the Salzburg chapter in 1713. Pope Clement XI appointed him Bishop of Lavant in 1718, Pope Benedict XIII also made him Bishop of Seckau in 1724. On 4 October 1727 he was elected Archbishop of Salzburg.
He had Schloss Klessheim finished and Schloss Leopoldskron erected as his private residence.
Most of those who survived their flight were received by King Frederick William I of Prussia and settled around Gumbinnen in East Prussia. Others found refuge in Hanover, the Netherlands, and the British colony of Georgia.
The loss of so many citizens did severe damage to Salzburg"s economy. Archbishop Firmian is buried at the crypt of Salzburg Cathedral.