Past told in Pictures – Jenő Mesterházy

Abstract

The authors’ research of the inheritance was made within the framework of a research proposal supported by ELTE Faculty of Education and Psychology in 2015. The Mesterházy-inheritance can be found at the library of ELTE Faculty of Primary and Pre-School Education, where the examination made upon the research was also carried out. In this study the authors’ aim was to discover and give a better view on an ‘ordinary pedagogue’s’ paths of life in order to present a model or pattern for all pedagogues in present and also in the future. Analysis of personal documents and experiences might also help in emerging in details of a historical period. Mesterházy put great effort into documenting his life and career paths, he kept a lot of scripts beside the printed papers (publications, notes of his lectures, radio performances, diaries) and also his private and professional correspondence was carefully preserved – containing his huge collection of photographs. The authors present the pedagogue's life through six major topics, by the method of document analysis and iconography: Mesterházy Jenő as Husband and Father; Pedagogue; a Head of a Scout Team; a Leader of Cultural activities; The Soldier and Mesterházy as a Photographer.