BATTHYANY, JÓZSER

BATTHYÁNY, JÓzsef. — Hungarian cardinal, b. in Vienna in 1727, d. in Pressburg in 1799. Appointed Bishop of Transylvania in 1759; in 1776 he became Archbishop of Kalocsa, then of Esztergom, and in 1778 was created cardinal. He crowned Leopold II and Francis II. He was one of the most outstanding minds and one of the most captivating orators of his age. A loyal advisor to Maria Theresa, he later openly opposed the innovations of Joseph II, resolutely defending the rights of the Church and of his country. When Pius VI went to Vienna, B. acted as intermediary between him and the emperor, to the satisfaction of both parties. On this occasion the Pope conferred the cardinal’s hat upon him on 19 April 1778. He left a rich library and an important collection of manuscripts. He donated to the city of Budapest the present-day “City Park.”