Ludwig Fürst zu Oettingen-Wallerstein was one of the most important Bavarian politicians in the first half of the 19th century. He was Minister of the Interior from 1832 - 1837 under King Ludwig I and during this time the first German railway (Nürnberg-Fürth) was opened for passengers. In 1837 he had a conflict with the King and was dismissed. From 1846 - 47 Oettingen-Wallerstein was in Paris as Bavarian Ambassador. Back in Munich during the revolutionary upheavals he was entrusted with political duties again. He was sympathetic towards the liberal democratic movement but remained a moderate reformist politician.
