Eötvös, JOZSEF, BARON

Eötvös, JOZSEF, BARON, Hungarian author, born 3d Sept. 1813 at Buda, was educated at home by a tutor of republican sentiments, and studied philosophy and jurisprudence at the university of Pesth (1825-31). He became an advocate in 1833, but soon resolved to devote himself exclusively to literature, in which field he had already won a great reputation by two comedies and a tragedy. After his return from a journey abroad he published a work on prison reform (1838). This was followed (1838-41) by his great novel Karthausi ('The Carthusians'). He now began to distinguish himself in politics as a writer of incisive articles on the liberal side represented by Kossuth. The Village Notary (1846; Eng. trans. 1850) is marked by variety of incident, easy vigour of style, humour, and freshness. It was followed in 1848 by a powerful novel describing Hungary in 1514. When the revolution of 1848 broke out, Eötvös was for a time Minister of Public Instruction. In Munich he wrote a work (1854) on the influence of the ideas of the 19th century on the state and on society. In 1851 Eötvös returned to Hungary. In 1859 he published anonymously a notable book (in German) on the guarantees for the power and unity of Austria. In 1867 he was appointed Minister of Worship and Education; and he died at Pesth, 3d February 1871.