Bethlen, István (1874–1947)

Hungarian prime minister 1921–31. After World War I, when Béla Kun headed the communist revolution, Bethlen was a leader of the successful counter-revolution. As prime minister, he settled the western frontier amicably with Austria, and in 1923 obtained suspension of the reparations order against Hungary and a loan from the League of Nations. In 1927 he signed a treaty with fascist Italy. From 1931 to 1935 he was leader of a conservative group in opposition. He resisted the Nazis during World War II.

Born into an old Protestant Transylvanian family, Bethlen was educated at Vienna and Budapest universities. He entered the Hungarian parliament in 1901, as a Liberal.