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Contents

Scientific societies in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries in Hungary
Foundation of the Hungarian Geological Society and its pioneering period (1848-1870)
Keresztély András Zipser and the Kubinyi brothers
Activity of the Society between 1850 and 1870
The period of prosperity (1870-1895)
József Szabó and the Society
The period of stabilization (1895-1920)
The period of recommencement (1920-1948)
References
Supplement: Officials of the Hungarian Geological Society

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Foreword

The Hungarian Geological Society will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its foundation in 1998. One and a half century - it is a respectable time in the life of a scientific society, especially here in Central Europe, where the tempests of history so often baffled creative endeavours and initiations. Not only the geologists, but the whole world of science should be proud of the consecutive generations maintaining the Geological Society through such a long time.

I am not the first, and certainly not the last one who, reviewing the history of our Society, calls attention to the difficulties that the founders had to overcome. I pay respect to the eminent Keresztély András ZIPSER, initiator of the Society, who, together with the KUBINYI brothers, played an outstanding role in the foundation of the Society and put the Hungarian geology on its way of development.

Their memory be blessed.

G. Csíky

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