Imre Simonffy (1824–1910)

Visionary of a modern city

Simonffy wielded pen, sword and cunning during his 50 years in the service of his hometown as town councillor, voluntary officer of the revolutionary national guard, then captain general of Debrecen and finally as mayor for 27 years. His decisions were always informed by what he felt supported the wellbeing of the public. He skilfully evaded any excessive tax collection by the Habsburgs, and after the Compromise of 1867 he took several measures that would transform the formerly provincial town into a prosperous city. Schools, churches, multi-storey tenement palaces, a theatre, a public hospital and court buildings were constructed during his decades in office. Under his guidance the economy was booming, and several factories were opened. He modernised schooling, too, founding primary and vocational schools as well as contributing to the foundation of the National Higher Institute of Economic Studies.

As local head of the Red Cross he improved health care, but was also actively involved in culture. Besides approving the construction of the new theatre building he supported the operation of literary societies. To appropriately welcome visitors from all around the country he ordered the building of an impressive railway station, and modernised traffic and public lighting. Debrecen was the first rural town to have a telephone switchboard centre. He felt proud of the town under his leadership and of all the progress that he had accomplished in nearly 50 years. He had a series of watercolours made about the monuments erected during his office as mayor, which were displayed at the Millennial Exhibition of 1896, even garnering the appreciation of King Franz Joseph I.