Baumgarten Prize

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The Baumgarten Prize was founded by Ferenc Ferdinánd Baumgarten on October 17, 1923. It was first awarded in 1929, last in 1949 (it ceased in 1945). It was one of the most prestigious literary prizes in XX century Hungary, along with Attila József Prize and Kossuth Prize.

In accordance with the founder's will, it was given to "Hungarian authors with serious endeavour whether in literature or in science who are exempt of any religious, racial or social prejudices and serve only ideal aims, thus making no compromise for personal advantages, are in need of financial means." The foundation was administered by the Baumgarten Board of Trustees whose members were lawyer Lóránt Basch and writer Mihály Babits (after Babits's death, from 1941, Aladár Schöpflin), and it was assisted by an 8-member advisory board. During its functioning it had a major significance in developing Hungarian literature.

It was given, among others, to the following people: Antal Szerb, Miklós Radnóti, Sándor Weöres, Áron Tamási (three times), Gyula Illyés, Albert Wass, Emil Kolozsvári Grandpierre, Attila József (posthumous), Károly Kerényi, János Pilinszky, Andor Endre Gelléri, Lőrinc Szabó (three times), Ágnes Nemes Nagy, Józsi Jenő Tersánszky (four times), Tibor Déry, Pál Szabó, Lajos Fülep, Gyula Juhász (three times), Gábor Devecseri, László Németh, Lajos Nagy (three times), Magda Szabó (repealed).