Who's Who
Andrássy Gyula (1823-1890)
Today, Andrássy is best remembered as the name behind Andrássy út, which is modelled on the Champs Elysées in Paris. But in his political prime in the mid 19th century, Count Andrássy served as Prime Minister of Hungary and Foreign Minister for Austria-Hungary, exerting considerable influence throughout the region.
Arany János (1817-1882)
A prolific poet known to all Hungarians as the author of the Toldi Trilogy, the Bards of Wales and as translator of William Shakespeare’s most famous works.
The tribal chief led the Magyars into the Carpathian Basin in the late 9th century. Read the history section for more on the honfoglalás (claiming of land).
Blaha Lujza (1850-1926)
Known as the nation’s nightingale, the legendary opera singer and actress has had a square and a metro station in Pest named after her.
Deák Ferenc (1803-1876)
Dubbed the sage of the nation, Deák was a lawyer, lawmaker and politician credited with agreeing the Compromise between Hungary and the Habsburg dynasty in 1867. His face appears on the 20 thousand forint banknote, Hungary’s highest denomination.
Queen Elizabeth (1837-1898)
Known as Sissi, the wife of Kaiser Franz Joseph endeared herself to the Hungarian people by learning the language and spending her summers at the Royal Palace in Gödöllő.
The Eszterházy family
The most prominent members of the Hungarian nobility, the Eszterházy dynasty remained loyal to the Habsburg Monarchy, accumulating enormous wealth along the way. The family built some of Hungary's finest palaces and was also a patron of the arts – the celebrated composer Hadyn held residence at the Eszterházy Palace in Fertőd.
Saint Gellért (980-1046)
A Benedictine monk from Venice, Gellért was tasked with educating Saint Stephen’s son Imre and became a bishop in 1030. He became a martyr after being hurled from Gellért hegy in a pagan revolt. Gellért is remembered by the dramatic statue on the rocky hillside opposite Erzsébet híd.
Kossuth Lajos (1802-1894)
Kossuth was an eloquent agitator against Habsburg rule and fervent upholder of liberal and patriotic values through his speeches and articles for Pesti Hirlap, a newspaper for which he was also editor. After the 1848 revolution, he was briefly appointed regent and led reform in Hungary before abdicating and being exiled just a year later. Despite his often controversial and inflammatory stance, Kossuth remains a Hungarian icon even today.
Mátyás (Matthias) Corvinus (1442-1490)
King Mátyás was crowned at the tender age of 15 but went on to become a fair and respected leader of the Hungarian people. He introduced public healthcare, education and a new legal system, while running a highly successful military and foreign policy financed by the unprecedented policy of taxing the nobility. Mátyás also sponsored artists and promoted scientific research, which helped earn him a portrait on today's 1,000 Ft banknote.
Nagy Imre (1896-1958)
Prime Minister before the short-lived 1956 revolution and reinstated during it, Nagy was a Communist moderate who gained the support of the Hungarian people. During his brief tenure, he announced Hungary’s exit from the Warsaw Pact and demanded withdrawal of Soviet troops, before being executed on a charge of high treason.
Petőfi Sándor (1823-1849)
The down-to-earth poet, soldier and organiser of the 1848 revolution against Habsburg rule, Petőfi has been an inspiration to Hungarian rebels ever since.
Rákóczi Ferenc II (1676-1735)
A Hungarian noble who led the rebellion against Habsburg rule in northern Hungary and Transylvania in the early 18th century. The venture was a failure, but did engineer some independence for Hungarian landowners. Today, his face appears on the 500 Ft banknote.
Saint Stephen (ca. 975-1038)
Hungary's first king was responsible for uniting virtually all the Magyar clans and founding the Hungarian Christian state, quelling pagan warlords as went. He was crowned in Esztergom in 1001, receiving a crown from Pope Sylvester, and his holy right hand is kept in the Basilica bearing his name in Budapest. August 20 is a public holiday and a number of events are held in his honour, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. He adorns the 10,000 Ft banknote.
Széchenyi is routinely referred to as the "greatest of Hungarians" for his impressive contribution to culture, politics and development. He financed the Lánchíd, the first permanent bridge linking Pest and Buda, before going one step further and proposing a union of the two cities. He also introduced horse racing to Hungary and wrote a number of books outlining his views on the state of the economy. The 5,000 Ft banknote bears his portrait.
Raoul Wallenberg (1912-unknown)
Swedish diplomat responsible for saving tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews in the later stages of World War II, distributing protective passes and putting them up in safe houses. The Russians arrested him on their arrival in Budapest and he was never seen again.
Zsolnay was a hugely successful ceramic artist who took over management of the family factory in Pécs in 1868. He allied technological advances – particularly the development of the Eosine glaze – with an eye for exquisite designs, propelling the company to worldwide fame. Back
