Gabor Ronay

Medieval historian and writer Gabor Ronay was forced to flee Hungary after the 1956 Revolution. Starting over in Edinburgh, he loved every aspect of student life in the welcoming city.

Your time at the University

Edinburgh chose me. It gave me a place at the University, a grant and a chance to complete my studies after having been forced to flee Hungary, with the Red Army’s GRU [military intelligence agency] hot on my tail, following our fight for national freedom, free elections and multi-party democracy in the 1956 Revolution.

Edinburgh and the Scots opened their heart and welcomed a handful of Magyar freedom fighters.

Edinburgh University taught me English and new values and, in effect, gave me a chance not only to complete my linguistic studies but to restart my life in Britain. 

My favourite hide-out was old Dean Village.

I loved every aspect of my student life. Most of my lectures were inspirational, the student societies where I was invited to give talks were full of intellectual curiosity and my social contacts covered the spectrum of Edinburgh life. I made many life-long friends and met my wife, Lois Elspeth also an Edinburgh graduate, through old University friends. Edinburgh for me was a life-changing, enriching experience.

In appreciation — and because of its high academic standards — two of my grandchildren chose to study at Edinburgh University, Rufus now in his final year at the medical school, and Alfie a second year student of Spanish and Portuguese.

And as a further token of my gratitude I am leaving a legacy to the University.

Edinburgh University taught me English and new values and, in effect, gave me a chance not only to complete my linguistic studies but to restart my life in Britain. 

Your experiences since leaving the University

Parallel with a Fleet Street career — The Times, Scotland on Sunday and Sunday Herald, History Today — my career as an English writer focused on Anglo-Saxon and medieval European historical issues. My books have been published in Britain, the United States, the Commonwealth, Scandinavia, Japan and, recently, in Hungary.

After the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe I was awarded a high decoration by the first democratic president of Hungary in recognition of my role in the 1956 fight for freedom.

My wife and I spend several months every year in our Edinburgh home where our daughters and grandchildren often join us.

Alumni wisdom

Make the most of the wealth that Edinburgh and its student society can give you. You will never have another chance for a similarly free and enriching experience.

Related links

School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures

Gifts in wills

Imperial War Museum - Oral History with Gabriel Ronay (external link)

Published March 2019.