Brady, Thomas (1752–1827), Baron von Brady , Feldzeugmeister (general of artillery) in the Austrian army, was born in Cootehill, Co. Cavan. Destined for the church, he was sent to Vienna to study theology. Here he attracted the attention of the empress Maria Theresa, who offered him a commission. He was made a cadet to the infantry regiment of Wied, regiment no. 15 (21 November 1769), ensign of the infantry regiment of Fabri (3 April 1774), second lieutenant (30 November 1775), and lieutenant (20 March 1784). He distinguished himself at Habelschwerdt during the war of the Bavarian succession. Ten years later he was made a captain in the general staff and received the Knight's Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa for his gallantry in the storming of Novi during the Turkish war. He was promoted to major on 20 July 1790. He served under Prince Coburg, who praised him highly for his conduct at the battle of Neerwinden (18 March 1793), and having served three years on the staff was posted as lieutenant-colonel to a corps of the Tyrolese Sharpshooters, from which he was transferred and promoted (February 1794) to colonel of the infantry regiment of Murra (no. 55), which he commanded for the duration of the 1794–6 campaign.
He served with Gen. Latour at Frahenthal in 1795 and was promoted to major-general for his distinguished conduct against the French at Ukerath. He was promoted to lieutenant-general for his service in Dalmatia in 1801, and two years later received the colonelcy of an imperial infantry regiment. Appointed civil and military governor of Dalmatia and Albania (1804) and a privy councillor (1807), he retired in 1809 with the rank of general. He married (date unknown) Countess Deyn, an offshoot of the imperial family, and died in Vienna on 14 October 1827.
His will named Ensign Brady of infantry regiment no. 32 as his heir, although he also named a brother who was resident in Dublin. He left 10,000 gulden for the establishment of a scholarship in the engineering academy in Vienna to be awarded to an Irish-born, catholic nominee of the archbishop of Dublin. As late as 1964 this Baron von Brady Foundation provided for the upkeep of five foundation scholarships, awarded by the war ministry.
A magnificent colour illustration survives in the archives of the town of Zadar, depicting the solemn reception of Governor Brady in October 1804.