Joseph Péczeli, Sr.

* Putnok, 1750 – † Komárom, December 4, 1792 / Reformed pastor, science organizer ; ; He studied at the Debrecen Reformed College, where he studied many languages – Latin, Arabic, Hebrew, German, French, English – but was also proficient in world literature and other sciences. He passed his theological exams in 1783 and became a priest in the city on the Danube at the invitation of the Komárom Reformed congregation. He worked hard for the benefit of the Komárom Reformed, and he also considered the development and enhancement of the Hungarian language, literature and culture to be his heart’s desire. In 1787, he launched the journal Mindenes Gyűjtemény and founded the Komárom Scholarly Society, whose members were local doctors, priests and citizens. He wrote few original works, but translated many more from world literature. He maintained good friendships with many of his contemporaries (e.g. Kazinczy, Gvadányi, Gedeon Ráday and Lőrinc Orczy) and corresponded regularly with them.