Széchenyi’s Worlds
Széchenyi’s Worlds

Summary/Abstract: Sometimes I ponder on how to explain István Széchenyi’s role in Hungarian history to an Englishman or an American. I might start with Christopher Columbus and his discovery of the New World. Well, Széchenyi discovered two worlds. First he described the medieval backwaters of his own country. Second he looked to England as the model state. Then he worked to transplant all the best English advances to Hungary. I might equally throw Benjamin Franklin’s hat into the ring. The printer, scientist, inventor and politician set his country on a path to modernity with wisdom and pragmatism. Széchenyi was no less a civilizer. Not only was Széchenyi a true teacher and statesman, he spelt out his plans in the books he wrote and put his money where his mouth was. Nor should we forget George Washington, who led his country through its political struggles. Likewise Széchenyi took a political role, becoming a member of Hungary’s first proper government in 1948. Even in ill health he acted on behalf of the community to which he belonged. I might go on. But I’ve made my point: Széchenyi the man was of a dizzyingly high calibre and the political role he had to fulfill was an extraordinary challenge. He was a genius, the sort of man who does not fit well into ordinary shoes.

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