Hungarian in America – American in Hungary – János Xántus, the 19th Century Naturalist
Hungarian in America – American in Hungary – János Xántus, the 19th Century Naturalist

Summary/Abstract: Two passages may stand side by side to illustrate the appraisal and achievement in the United States of John (János) Xántus, 19th century Hungarian naturalist and traveller of the American West. The first is what Xántus himself wrote to his Hungarian editor, István Prépost, in 1857: Speaking six languages, playing piano and being a good topographical draftsman, after all efforts I could never bring my existence higher than 25 dollars a month. (Intro. Letters, 18) The second passage is from a letter of recommendation written by Spencer Fullerton Baird, Director of the Smithsonian Institution: Mr Xántus is the most accomplished and successful explorer in the field of natural history I have ever known or ever heard of, the results of his operations enriching the Smithsonian Museum in a very high degree. (Intro. Travels, 15)

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