István Széchenyi

19th-century Hungarian reformer who modernized infrastructure and pioneered social changes

Count István Széchenyi (1791-1860) revolutionized Hungary through unprecedented modernization efforts. Known as the 'Greatest Hungarian,' he initiated the Chain Bridge connecting Buda and Pest, symbolizing national unification.

He founded the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 1825 by donating a year's income. Széchenyi introduced steam navigation on the Danube, established horse racing as economic stimulus, and authored Hitel (Credit) advocating agricultural modernization.

His clash with Lajos Kossuth over gradual vs radical reforms shaped Hungarian politics. Despite eventual mental breakdown and suicide, his reforms laid groundwork for Austria-Hungary's 1867 compromise.