Arany

Arany, JÁNOS, next to Petöfi the most distinguished of modern Hungarian poets, was the son of a poor peasant, and was born at Nagy-Szalonta, 21 March 1817. In 1832 he entered the college at Debreczin, but in 1836 joined for a time a company of strolling-players. Settled at Szalonta, he worked as a teacher and as a notary. When the Kisfaludy Society offered a prize for the best humorous poem, his Lost Constitution obtained the prize. In 1847 he forwarded to the same society his Toldi, a national trilogy, which made the poet a popular favourite. In 1848 appeared his Conquest of Murány, which, however, was not so successful. He took a slight part in the revolution, but after the war was allowed to return to his country. He was afterwards professor of Hungarian literature, director of the Kisfaludy Society, editor of a journal, and secretary of the Hungarian Academy (1865-70). Later works are Katalin, a continuation of Toldi, two volumes of lyrics, Buda Halála, and a humorous poem recounting his early adventures (1874). Part of Buda has been translated into English. He died 22d October 1882.—His son LÁZSLO (born 24th March 1844) is also noted as a poet and translator of Shakespeare.