About
Lajos Kossuth, born on September 19, 1802 in Monok (then in the Austrian Empire) and died on March 20, 1894 in Turin, Italy, was a Hungarian statesman. Trained as a lawyer, he entered the Diet in 1832 and became famous for his handwritten parliamentary reports. Imprisoned for subversion in 1837, he was amnestied in 1840. As editor of Pesti Hirlap, he became leader of the national opposition in 1847. In March 1848, his speech demanding parliamentary government for Hungary helped precipitate the fall of Metternich. As Finance Minister and then chairman of the Committee of National Defence, he led the 1848-1849 war of independence and proclaimed independence in April 1849.
* 1802-09-19 — † 1894-03-20
Key milestones
- 1837Arrested for subversion, sentenced to three years' imprisonment, released under amnesty in 1840.
- 1848Delivered a speech on March 3, 1848 demanding parliamentary government for Hungary, helping precipitate the fall of Metternich.
- 1849Elected Governor-President in April 1849 and issued the Hungarian Declaration of Independence, dethroning the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
Themes
National independencePolitical libertyConstitutional reformExileSovereignty
Sources: britannica.com · id.loc.gov · loc.gov