Dezső Kosztolányi was a Hungarian poet, known for his diverse contributions as a writer, journalist, translator and advocate of Esperanto.
His works reflect a deep engagement with many different literary movements, including symbolism, impressionism, expressionism and French psychological realism, blending them into a unique style.
One of his most famous works, The complaint of a poor child (A szegény kisgyermek panaszai), was published in 1910 and immediately made him a major literary figure.
The collection of poems captures the voice of a child, expressing sadness, innocence and existential wonder, and is considered a representative work in the history of Hungarian literature.
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- Full name: Dezso Kosztolanyi
- Stage name: Dezso Kosztolanyi
- Date of birth: March 29, 1885
- Date of death: November 3, 1936
- Age: 51 years old
- Place of birth: Subotica, Serbia
- Nationality: Hungarian
- Profession: Hungarian writer and journalist
- Height: Unknown
- Parents: Árpád Kosztolányi and Eulália Brenner
- Siblings: Unknown
- Spouse: Kosztolányi Dezsőné (m. 1913–1936)
- Partner: Maria Radakovich
- Children: Ádám Kosztolanyi
- Relationship: Dating
- Net worth: Unknown
Early life and education
Dezső Kosztolányi was born on 29 March 1885 in Subotica, Serbia, to Árpád Kosztolányi (1859–1926), a professor of physics and chemistry, and Eulália Brenner (1866–1948), of French descent.
Although he may have siblings, their identities are unknown. He started high school in Szabadka, but after conflicts with teachers, he was expelled and eventually graduated as a private student in Szeged.
In 1903, Kosztolányi moved to Budapest to study at the University of Budapest, where he met the poets Mihály Babits and Gyula Juhász. He studied briefly in Vienna before deciding to pursue a career in journalism, which would become an essential part of his life. Kosztolányi is ethnically Hungarian, although details about his religious beliefs remain unclear.
Career
Dezső Kosztolányi’s early life was marked by rebellion, which led to his expulsion from high school. He completed his studies as a private student. At age 16, he made his literary debut with a poem published in Budapesti Napló, signaling the beginning of his writing career.
In 1905, he abandoned his formal education to pursue journalism, which became an important part of his life and the basis for his literary works.
In 1908, Kosztolányi replaced the poet Endre Ady as a reporter for a daily newspaper in Budapest. This marked a turning point in his career. Two years later, his poetry collection The complaint of a poor child (1910) brought him national recognition and began a period of prolific writing in which he published almost annually. His early works established him as an important figure in Hungarian literature.
Kosztolányi was also a major contributor to the literary magazine Nyugat, which played an important role in the revival of Hungarian literature. A member of the “first generation of Nyugat,” he published much of his poetry in this magazine. His work, characterized by a blend of symbolism, impressionism and psychological realism, has made him a prominent figure in Hungarian literature.
In the 1920s, Kosztolányi expanded his repertoire to include novels, short stories, and prose. Notable works from this period include Nero, the bloody poet, larkAnd Golden kite. His 1924 poetry collection The sad man’s complaint returned to his earlier themes, further cementing his place in Hungarian literary history.
Kosztolányi was also a skilled translator, translating works such as Shakespeare Romeo and JulietLewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderlandand Rudyard Kipling’s What if- into Hungarian.
He was the first to faithfully translate the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke into Hungarian and contributed a Hungarian masterpiece based on the work of Paul Valéry. Cimetiere Marin. His diverse literary work left a lasting legacy in Hungarian literature.
Social Media
Dezso Kosztolanyi does not have any active social media accounts.
Personal life
Dezső Kosztolányi married actress Ilona Harmos on 8 May 1913 and they had one son together. Their marriage lasted 23 years until Kosztolányi’s death in 1936.
In the last year of his life, he also became involved in a relationship with Maria Radakovich. Kosztolányi died on November 3, 1936 in Budapest, Hungary from nasopharyngeal cancer.
Net worth
Dezső Kosztolányi’s net worth and financial status are unknown. Although he is a famous Hungarian writer, journalist and translator, there are no specific details about his assets or property.
His literary contributions, including poetry and novels, were significant, but information about his financial situation during his lifetime is not recorded.
