The Global Network Builder: Aurél Török

Type of Abstract (select): Paper presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
Aurél Török (Thewrewk) Ponori (1842–1912) was the most prestigious representative of the Hungarian anthropology founded in the 1880s, a scientist who followed the "Hungarian type", a professor at the University of Budapest, for a few years its rector, and a nationally known authority. He used the Hungarian spelling of his name because he thought it was more appropriate for a scientist with a civil career. His father was a writer, an active figure in the 19th-century public sphere, who brought up his sons with great awareness and attention, and taught them how to build and use social relationships. When Aurél Török took up the rectorship of the Royal Hungarian University of Budapest on 22 September 1907, he was at the peak of his academic career and had achieved outstanding academic results. On the first page of the published rector's address, he gave 24 lines of academic and public titles – a list that could be the outline of a biography. Turkish doctor of medicine, public and full professor of anthropology, director of the Institute and Museum of Anthropology, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences, Royal Court Councillor, Knight of the Order of the Iron Crown, Honorary Member of the Anthropological Society of Munich, Honorary Member of the Société D'Antropologie of Paris, Corresponding Member of the Anthropological Society of Washington, Member of the Anthropological Society of Berlin, Member of the Moscow "Imp. Obzsesztvo Lubitelej Jesztjesztvoznanija Antropologij I Jethnographij", and a corresponding member of the Sociedad logica de la isla de Cuba in Havana – and the list goes on. The Manuscript Archives of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences hold hundreds of letters written to Aurél Török from all over the world. Török had an exceptional network of international contacts, which he maintained and expanded until his death. In this lecture, I will analyse Aurel Török's global network of contacts: who did he know, who were his friends and colleagues, and how did he relate to them?


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Mónika Mátay is a social historian, an associate professor at Eötvös Loránd University, and a research fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg. She is the author and editor of several books, lately she edited volumes of a series titled Talking Houses.