Moricz Jokay of Asva, also known as Mor Jokai, was a Hungarian novelist, dramatist, and revolutionary. Outside of Hungary, he was known as Maurice, Maurus, or Mauritius Jokai. He was a key figure in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, which began in Pest. His romantic works quickly became famous among Victorian England's elite, and the press frequently compared him to Charles Dickens. One of his most famous admirers was Queen Victoria. He was born in Komarom, Kingdom of Hungary, to Jozsef Jokai of Asva (1781-1837), a member of the Asva branch of the historic Jokay aristocratic family, and noblewoman Maria Pulay (1790-1856). Jokai was inspired to pursue his craft after receiving appreciation from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences for his debut play, Zsido fiu ('Jewish Boy'). In 1845, he relocated to Pest, where Petofi introduced him to literary groups. Pesti Divatlap released his first notable work as a serial that same year, followed by a hardback version in 1846. It was met with widespread critical acclaim. The following year, Jokai was appointed editor of Eletkepek, Hungary's main literary journal, and formed a network of young authors around himself.
