Batthyány Lajos kancellár és kéziratai

It may not be an exaggeration to count Lajos Ernő Batthyány (1696–1765) among the epoch-making figures of Hungarian history, yet the details of his life and work remain lesser known, even among researchers. Exploring Lajos Batthyány’s book collection and related manuscripts can help fill this gap. In this study, I examine unique documents from the manuscript material connected to Lajos Batthyány found in three major collections in Budapest: the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTAK), the National Archives of Hungary (MNL-OL), and the National Széchenyi Library (OSZK). The 1743 library catalog mentions interesting manuscripts on specific topics, and a list of files and letters related to Batthyány’s activities, compiled around 1746, provides a comprehensive overview of his work. Perhaps the most intriguing documents are held at the National Széchenyi Library, including a previously unknown contemporary biography written in Latin. The whereabouts of some of these notable documents mentioned in various lists are still unknown, but further research may yield additional discoveries in the future.