László Teleki
Encyclopedia
Count László Teleki IV de Szék (11 February 1811 – 7 May 1861) was a Hungarian writer and statesman. He is remembered as the author of the drama Kegyencz ("The Favourite", 1841). (In older books in English he is given the name "Ladislas Teleky".)
He was born in Pest to László Teleki
III and Johanna Mészáros. On his father's death in 1821 he was raised by his uncle József Teleki (1790–1855). Throughout the 1830s he travelled through Europe. On returning to Hungary he became a politician, first in Transylvania (where his brother became governor) and then in the National Assembly, with a particular concern for the equitable representation of different nationalities within the Empire.
In 1848 came news of the revolution in Paris
, and he travelled to Paris as envoy. The failure of the Hungarian revolution
led to his banishment, and in 1851 he was sentenced to death in absentia. During the 1850s he lived in Switzerland and did what he could to assist Lajos Kossuth
, despite their disagreements.
In November 1860 he travelled to Dresden
under an assumed name in order to see the widow Auguszta Lipthay. He was arrested on 16 December by the Saxon police, and four days later was taken across the border into Austria where he was imprisoned until New Year's Day. After negotiation with the authorities, mediated by Emperor Franz Joseph
, he was pardoned and permitted to return to Hungary on the condition that he gave up revolutionary politics and foreign travel.
On his return he received a hero's welcome, and immediately resumed his political activities, directing the activities of the Resolution Party
(Határozati), and insisting that the proposed reforms of 1848 be carried out without compromise. He committed suicide on 7 May, the night before a significant public debate with Ferenc Deák
on the constitutional status of the Emperor, for reasons that are unclear. The tragic news, coming only a year after the death of István Széchenyi
, demoralized and bewildered the public.
He was the dedicatee of Franz Liszt
's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
.
He was born in Pest to László Teleki
Teleki
Teleki is the name of a Hungarian noble family. It means "from Maros-Telek " or "allotments."* Teleki family ** Mihály Teleki , chancellor of Transylvania...
III and Johanna Mészáros. On his father's death in 1821 he was raised by his uncle József Teleki (1790–1855). Throughout the 1830s he travelled through Europe. On returning to Hungary he became a politician, first in Transylvania (where his brother became governor) and then in the National Assembly, with a particular concern for the equitable representation of different nationalities within the Empire.
In 1848 came news of the revolution in Paris
French Revolution of 1848
The 1848 Revolution in France was one of a wave of revolutions in 1848 in Europe. In France, the February revolution ended the Orleans monarchy and led to the creation of the French Second Republic. The February Revolution was really the belated second phase of the Revolution of 1830...
, and he travelled to Paris as envoy. The failure of the Hungarian revolution
Hungarian Revolution of 1848
The Hungarian Revolution of 1848 was one of many of the European Revolutions of 1848 and closely linked to other revolutions of 1848 in the Habsburg areas...
led to his banishment, and in 1851 he was sentenced to death in absentia. During the 1850s he lived in Switzerland and did what he could to assist Lajos Kossuth
Lajos Kossuth
Lajos Kossuth de Udvard et Kossuthfalva was a Hungarian lawyer, journalist, politician and Regent-President of Hungary in 1849. He was widely honored during his lifetime, including in the United Kingdom and the United States, as a freedom fighter and bellwether of democracy in Europe.-Family:Lajos...
, despite their disagreements.
In November 1860 he travelled to Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
under an assumed name in order to see the widow Auguszta Lipthay. He was arrested on 16 December by the Saxon police, and four days later was taken across the border into Austria where he was imprisoned until New Year's Day. After negotiation with the authorities, mediated by Emperor Franz Joseph
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I was Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, King of Croatia, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Galicia and Lodomeria and Grand Duke of Cracow from 1848 until his death in 1916.In the December of 1848, Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria abdicated the throne as part of...
, he was pardoned and permitted to return to Hungary on the condition that he gave up revolutionary politics and foreign travel.
On his return he received a hero's welcome, and immediately resumed his political activities, directing the activities of the Resolution Party
Resolution Party
The Resolution Party was one of the two political groups of the National Assembly of 1861 in Hungary. The group was led by Count László Teleki....
(Határozati), and insisting that the proposed reforms of 1848 be carried out without compromise. He committed suicide on 7 May, the night before a significant public debate with Ferenc Deák
Ferenc Deák
Ferenc Deák de Kehida , , was a Hungarian statesman and Minister of Justice. He was known as "The Wise Man of the Nation".-Early life and law career:...
on the constitutional status of the Emperor, for reasons that are unclear. The tragic news, coming only a year after the death of István Széchenyi
István Széchenyi
Széchenyi committed suicide by a shot to his head on April 8, 1860. All Hungary mourned his death. The Academy was in official mourning, along with the most prominent persons of the leading political and cultural associations...
, demoralized and bewildered the public.
He was the dedicatee of Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt ; ), was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.Liszt became renowned in Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age...
's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, S.244/2, is the second in a set of 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies by composer Franz Liszt, and is by far the most famous of the set. Few other piano solos have achieved such widespread popularity, offering the pianist the opportunity to reveal exceptional skill as a virtuoso,...
.
External links
- Teleki László Alapítvány (The László Teleki Institute)