Gróf Apponyi György a kortársak szemével
Count György Apponyi through the Eyes of his Contemporaries

Summary/Abstract: The paper explores the personality of Count György Apponyi, seeking to reveal the man behind the offices and public roles. The source basis was constituted by the memoirs, correspondence and diaries of his contemporaries, as well as the post-1867 press. The image emerging from the sources is so multi-faceted, thanks partly to the genres and partly to the authors, that no full portrait could be drawn; yet the basic features of Apponyi’s character could nevertheless be grasped. As acknowledged by both his eulogists and critics, Apponyi was a man of determination and firm character, working loyally, hardly and expertly, and endowed with the skills of an orator. In the family circle, he established an intimate and lovely atmosphere with his life, which gave him opportunities to make good use of his sense of humour. Even as a private person, he supported good causes, donating for the construction of schools or helping orphans. Thanks to his long public career, his image changed considerably: although still remembered as the implanter of the administratorsystem, in the last third of the nineteenth century he enjoyed wide public respect.

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