Hivatalnokból író – Mailáth János eltérő életútja

Abstract

In this study, I attempt to present the life of János Mailáth, whose extraordinary lifestyle and literary career made him an outstanding figure. As a descendant of the Mailáth family, he did not pursue the family’s normal career, although he also entered public service for a short time. He gave up his office career because of his eye disease, but turned to literature because of his writing ambitions. In the 1840s, he tried to get famous as a writer and dedicated his works to his so beloved daughter. He maintained a good relationship with prominent representatives of both the German and the Hungarian literature, and in Ferenc Kazinczy he saw the greatest poet of the Hungarian nation. He had significant wealth, but over time became completely indebted. His family tried to access funds for many years in vain. János Mailáth then lived in Vienna and also in Munich, and was supported financially by his brothers and aristocratic acquaintances, but his lack of regular income plunged his family into an increasing misery. He committed suicide due to the overwhelming grip of financial hopelessness and died together with his daughter.