Laszló Lovassy

Laszló Lovassy (May 8, 1815 in Nagyszalonta, Hungary – January 6, 1892 in Nagyszalonta) was one of the heroes of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848.

His father was István Lovassy and his mother was Örzse Illéssy. After finishing his studies in Nagyvárad (mainly because of his father’s influence) he decided to take up law, that’s why he went to Pozsony to be the member of the dietal youth. He took part in the Diet of 1832-36 (with the help of his uncle, János Illéssy) as a law student.At the meetings of the Lower House, more and more debates occurred among the youth and the conservative representatives, that’s why Miklós Wesselényi advised the law students to establish a union, where they can discuss matters.In 1834, on the model of the French "Société des droits de 1'homme" the so-called ”Társalkodási Egyesület" was established in Pozsony, under the leadership of Lovassy.Their aim was the extension of human rights, but at the beginning they abstained from direct anti-governmental claims. They also dealt with several cases: eg.: the case of the Hungarian language, the situation of the Polish, the case of peasantry, freedom of religion and speech.

Lovassy soon became the paragon of the youth demanding democratic reforms and constitutional independence.As Metternich was against these demonstrations, he replaced the then chancellor with Fidél Pálffy, who bear down on the dietal youth.Lovassy was arrested May 30, 1836, together with. József Madarász and Ferenc Pulszky.They were accused with high treason.Lovassy chose János Perger as his lawyer, but he though that his trial was only a formality.("ugy is mindegy, bárki védje ügyemet; a védelem nem lesz itt valóság, csak puszta formalitás".)Probably he was right, as he and his supporters were sentenced for 10 years in 1837. ("a vádlott minden törvényes renddel ellenkező, romlott erkölcsû, minden társadalmi renddel ellentétben lévő veszedelmes elveket s véleményeket ápolt". )(István Lovassy persuaded his son to apply to the king for mercy, but Ferdinad V rejected the proposal, as he agreed with the sentence.)Lovassy was taken to Spielberg, where he soon went insane because of the captivity.This was the reason why he was given amnesty in 1840.After his release he was treated in Pozsony for more than 18 years, after which he settled at Erdőgyarak, where he lived for more than 20 years.

Not so much before his death he moved to Nagyszalonta, where he died January 6, 1892 at the age of 76.

On his tomb:

"Lovassy László"
"született: 1815. május 8"
"meghalt: 1892. január 6"
"Életéről a történelem beszél"
"Áldás és béke dicső emlékezetén"