**SCHENK, EDUARD von.** Bavarian statesman, b. 10 Oct. 1788 at Düsseldorf, d. 26 Apr. 1841 at Munich.
He studied at the University of Landshut and, under the influence of Sailer, converted to Catholicism in 1817. In the following year, he entered the Bavarian Ministry of Justice, became a ministerial councillor in 1825, and was appointed by King Louis I, on Sailer’s recommendation, head of the section for ecclesiastical affairs and education.
He was one of the most ardent supporters of the Catholic restoration in Bavaria. With the active support of the Sovereign and Sailer, he worked to remove all restrictions previously imposed by Montgelas on Catholic worship: the Benedictines were permitted to re-establish themselves in the state, and in 1826 the University of Landshut was transferred to Munich. Minister of the Interior from 1828 to 1832, his pro-Catholic policies met with opposition from the liberals, who vigorously opposed his direction and repeatedly demanded his resignation to the Sovereign. Indeed, Louis I was compelled to dismiss him in 1832, after a motion presented by the liberals to the Landtag, requesting his resignation, had been approved for the third time.
Subsequently, S. was appointed president of the government in Regensburg and in 1838 became a State Councillor. He was also a respected man of letters and playwright. Among his tragedies, *Belisarius* achieved particular success. From 1834 to 1838, he edited the manual *Charitas*, in which he published novellas and biographical sketches on Sailer and Wittmann.