A Hungarian Reform-era conservative on the Hungarian language and culture: Aurél Dessewffy

Abstract

Count Aurél Dessewffy (1808–1842) was an eminent member of the Hungarian aristocracy and a prominent figure in the Reform Movement of the 19th century in Hungary. He pursued a wide range of activities: he was a writer, a publicist, an editor, and a politician; he played an important part in the Hungarian Conservative Party, and he was a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and a co-founder of the Kisfaludy Society. He spoke eight languages and was one of the most learned men of his time. He took an active part in the political and academic struggles for the Hungarian language. He believed that speaking Hungarian was a compulsory element of patriotism for the politically active Hungarian aristocracy, and he advocated his views on this at various platforms from politics to journalism and pedagogy. He was deeply concerned about the false image of Hungary and Hungarian culture so prevalent outside the country at the time. He put enormous efforts into the task of forming a positive image of Hungary through his travels, his political connections and his foreign publications.