FALK, MIKSA

FALK, MIKSA (1828–1908), Hungarian journalist and politician. Born in Budapest, Falk contributed early in his life to leading newspapers. From 1858 he was one of Count Széchenyi's close friends – in spite of the fact that this Hungarian statesman was antisemitic – and Falk published Széchenyi's political writings. In 1861 Falk was prosecuted for printing an article demanding the restoration of the Hungarian constitution and was sentenced to six months imprisonment. In the same year Falk was sponsored by the liberal leader Ferenc Deák for membership in the National Academy of Sciences. In 1866 he became a tutor in Magyar of the empress Elizabeth, wife of Francis Joseph. After the "compromise" of 1867 in which he had played a considerable part, and by which Hungary recovered its independence within the Hapsburg monarchy, Falk became chief editor of the government German-language newspaper Pester Lloyd. Falk converted to Christianity, sat in parliament for ten years, and wrote on Hungarian history. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Magyar Irodalmi Lexikon, 1 (1963), 324. (Baruch Yaron)