Frigyes Karinthy Hungarian writer Date of Birth: 25.06.1887 Country: Hungary

1. Early Life and Education
2. Journalism and Literary Debut
3. Diverse Interests and Influences
4. Literary Prowess
5. "Six Degrees of Separation" Theory
6. Later Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Ferenc Molnár was born into a cultured Jewish family in Hungary. At the tender age of six, tragedy struck when his mother passed away. Despite this adversity, Molnár excelled academically, pursuing studies in natural sciences and mathematics. He eventually enrolled in medical school, but his destiny lay elsewhere.

Journalism and Literary Debut

Molnár's true calling revealed itself when he became a journalist. His debut as a writer came in 1902 with a parody of Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth." He became an integral part of the Hungarian modernist journal "Nyugat," where he cultivated friendships with Dezső Kosztolányi and Géza Csáth.

Diverse Interests and Influences

Molnár's interests ranged far and wide. He was drawn to the works of August Strindberg and the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud. He also harbored a fascination with aviation and cinema. His multifaceted nature made him a captivating personality in literary circles.

Literary Prowess

Molnár's writing encompassed a remarkable range of genres. He authored poetry, humorous stories, and parodies. His imaginative and satirical novels and short stories gained immense popularity. He even translated the works of A.A. Milne and Jonathan Swift into Hungarian.

"Six Degrees of Separation" Theory

In his 1929 short story "Zláncok," Molnár formulated the "six degrees of separation" theory, which posits that any two people on the planet can be connected through a chain of acquaintances of no more than six individuals. This concept has since become widely recognized in psychology and social networking.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1936, Molnár underwent a complex brain surgery in Sweden. Tragically, he passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1945 while bending down to tie his shoelaces. Molnár's legacy as a beloved humorist, keen observer, and literary luminary continues to inspire and entertain readers to this day.