# 1117 - 1958 4¢ Lajos Kossuth
This Champion of Liberty Series issue honors Lajos Kossuth, Hungarian patriot, statesman, and writer. He worked for the independence of Hungary from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
Birth Of Lajos Kossuth
Kossuth was the oldest of four children born into a Lutheran noble family. Growing up, he spoke Hungarian, German, and Slovak and studied at the University of Pest.
As a young man, Kossuth worked at his father’s law practice and as steward to the countess Szapáry. He then served as deputy to Count Hunyady at the National Diet (the main legislative body). In that role, he made detailed reports on the proceedings, which were circulated among other magnates, gaining him attention. Kossuth was then tasked with editing a parliamentary gazette, which helped him gain further notoriety. Eventually, Kossuth was ordered to stop circulating his gazette, but he spoke out about the importance of freedom of the press and was arrested, charged with high treason, and imprisoned for five years. He used his time in prison to read and learn English.
A revolution then broke out in Buda and the emperor assented. They created the first Hungarian responsible government and Kossuth was made Minister of Finance. In that role, he established a new Hungarian coinage and produced banknotes with his name printed prominently on them (they became known as Kossuth Notes). A new paper was also started and named after him.
In December 1851, Kossuth sailed to America. The mania followed him there, where in New York City he was greeted as a hero. In fact, shops all over New York City offered Kossuth themed gifts that year – pipes, umbrellas, belts, purses, jackets, and more. And one sign referred to Kossuth as “the Washington of Hungary.”
Kossuth died in Turin, Italy, on March 20, 1894. His body was returned to Budapest in a large national funeral.
This Champion of Liberty Series issue honors Lajos Kossuth, Hungarian patriot, statesman, and writer. He worked for the independence of Hungary from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
Birth Of Lajos Kossuth
Kossuth was the oldest of four children born into a Lutheran noble family. Growing up, he spoke Hungarian, German, and Slovak and studied at the University of Pest.
As a young man, Kossuth worked at his father’s law practice and as steward to the countess Szapáry. He then served as deputy to Count Hunyady at the National Diet (the main legislative body). In that role, he made detailed reports on the proceedings, which were circulated among other magnates, gaining him attention. Kossuth was then tasked with editing a parliamentary gazette, which helped him gain further notoriety. Eventually, Kossuth was ordered to stop circulating his gazette, but he spoke out about the importance of freedom of the press and was arrested, charged with high treason, and imprisoned for five years. He used his time in prison to read and learn English.
A revolution then broke out in Buda and the emperor assented. They created the first Hungarian responsible government and Kossuth was made Minister of Finance. In that role, he established a new Hungarian coinage and produced banknotes with his name printed prominently on them (they became known as Kossuth Notes). A new paper was also started and named after him.
In December 1851, Kossuth sailed to America. The mania followed him there, where in New York City he was greeted as a hero. In fact, shops all over New York City offered Kossuth themed gifts that year – pipes, umbrellas, belts, purses, jackets, and more. And one sign referred to Kossuth as “the Washington of Hungary.”
Kossuth died in Turin, Italy, on March 20, 1894. His body was returned to Budapest in a large national funeral.