KOSSUTH, Iths-sooth' (Hung. kosh'in), Lajos (Louis), Hungarian patriot: b. Monok, Hungary, 19 Sept. 1802; d. Turin, Italy, 20 March 1894. He came of a family of noble rank and of the Protestant religion, studied and practised law, and in 1832 entered the Parlia ment of Pesth as the deputy of absent mag nates, becoming also editor of a newspaper which, owing to the stringent press laws, had to be circulated in manuscript. For persist ing in publishing the Parliamentary debates he was condemned to four years' imprisonment, but was released in 1840 before the end of this period. In 1841 he became editor of the Pesth Journal, a paper that advocated very advanced views and in 1844 founded the na tional league in opposition to the Viennese goverment. In 1847 he was elected to the Hungarian Diet by the National party and in 1848 became Minister of Finance in the Hun garian government. His influence had much to do in bringing about the revolution which followed and in which he played the most prominent part, being appointed governor or dictator by his fellow-countrymen; but the intervention of Russia rendered all the ef forts of the Magyars unavailing. He re
signed his position in favor of GOrgei (whom he accused of treachery), and in 1849 he found it necessary to take refuge in Turkey, where he was kept as a prisoner. Being releasd in 1851 through the influence of Great Britain and the United States, he soon after visited both these countries and was received in the most enthu siastic manner. He endeavored subsequently to induce Napoleon III as well as Victor Em manuel to act against Austria in favor of Hun garian independence, but without success. Though by the amnesty of 1867 he might have returned to his native land he did not do so, but lived chiefly in Italy and was never fully reconciled to the union that had taken place be tween Austria and Hungary. His 'Memories of My Exile' appeared in English in 1880.