Karol Kuzmány

Karol Kuzmány (Hungarian: Kuzmány Károly; 16 November 1806 in Brezno – 14 August 1866 in Štubnianske Teplice) was a prominent Slovak Lutheran pastor, writer, and theologian in the Kingdom of Hungary, with a focus on philosophy and aesthetics.[1][2] He studied at the University of Jena in Germany between 1828 and 1829.[3] He returned to Slovakia after his education and became a chaplain in Banská Bystrica in 1830, later serving as a pastor there and in Zvolen. In 1849 he became professor of practical theology at the University of Vienna and began to publish works on theology.[2] In 1860 he was elected superintendent (an ecclesiastical position equivalent in the Lutheran church to that of bishop), serving the Bratislava superintendency.[2]

Lithograph of Karol Kuzmány, by Josef Kriehuber, 1866

Kuzmány was a co-founder and vice-president of the Slovak League (Slovak: Matica slovenská).[1] The group, which promoted Slovak culture and learning during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, first met in 1863.[4] As vice-president, Kuzmány was responsible for directing the group's activities, a responsibility he maintained through 1870.[4][5] He worked to improve the legal status of both Lutherans and Slovaks in the Empire.[2]

Kuzmány is buried at the National Cemetery in Martin.[6] His likeness appears on a Slovakian postage stamp and a Europa Coin from 2006.[7][6]

References

Bibliography