A nagy másik: gróf Dessewffy József. Egy életpálya kutatási lehetőségei
The Other Great One: Avenues for Count József Dessewffy’s Biographical Research

Summary/Abstract: The name of Baron József Dessewffy (1771–1843) appears with fair regularity in the history of the eighteenth century. At times he is portrayed as an enthusiastic supporter of the freedom of press, at times as the conservative opponent to the liberal reformers of the nineteenth century, five times delegate to the parliament, the most erudite aristocrat of his age, poet and generous supporter of the arts. The interpretations of this colourful life and career are disparate and varied. This study explores the evolution of the biographical tradition that continues to frame the image of Baron Dessewffy. Ferenc Toldy wrote several Dessewffy biographies and Baron József Eötvös delivered a memorial speech at the Academy; these texts serve as the foundation for the discourse, which defines Dessewfy’s reception to this day. The story of his reception raises two possible hypotheses. On one hand, it may be that Dessewfy’s early political philosophy, which was so groundbreaking in his youth, became tired and dated towards the end of his life. On the other hand, it can be theorised that the quality of his output was less than consistent in his varied fields of interest. For example, while his literary career remained on the level of an amateur, his achievements as a reformer of the Hungarian language are impressive. Similarly, while he is considered an important historical figure as the defender of human franchise, his conservative views prevented him from siding with ‘progress’.

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