A belated and subjective book review: History of the National Széchényi Library, 1802–1867 by Jenő Berlász

Abstract

The Széchényi Ferenc commemorative medal, a decoration founded by the National Széchényi Library, is awarded each year at the library’s foundation feast in November. At the celebration, the awardee of the medal in last year delivers a speech. In 2019, the presentation was given by Dr. János Heltai, researcher of the Department of Research into the History of Books and Culture. He praised the activities and personality of his teachers, the outstanding representatives of the national library and library science (Jenő Berlász, Ferenc Hervay, Gedeon Borsa, Béla Holl, and – from among the staff members – Judit Vásárhelyi). Based on a book by Jenő Berlász he briefly reviewed the conditions at the times of founding and early operation of the Hungarian national library, recalling the activities of the founder, Ferenc Széchényi, and of the prominent staff members continuing his work in developing the library.