Ivan Drašković

He was born as a son of Gašpar Drašković, from who he inherited the title of baron, and his wife Catherine Székely. Ivan Drašković married Hungarian Baroness Éva Istvánffy, daughter of Miklós Istvánffy. He is known as having defended Turopolje from the Ottoman Empire in 1570. He became Ban of Croatia in 1595. During his time in office, Drašković was also wary of the Protestant Reformation, which led to laws being brought which prohibited Protestants settling in Croatia. According to 17th-century historian and personal acquaintance of Drašković, Juraj Ratkaj, he even stated he would rather "separate himself and the kingdom (Croatia) entirely from the Crown, than having the Protestants succeed in their aspirations". Although this is disputed by modern historiography.

Ivan Drašković renounced the office of Ban of Croatia during the Croatian Parliament session on 10 April 1606, but held the office until 1608.[1] He was succeeded by Tamás Erdődy. His son and greatgrandson later became bans as well.

He is notable for his strong support and advocacy of the 1607 founding of the Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb, which is the first and oldest currently operating institution of higher education in the city.[2]

• Drašković family, barons created in 1569 and counts in 1631 (text in the Croatian Family Lexicon)
• Ivan II Drašković, founder of the "Banal" branch of the family