250th anniversary of the birth of Móric Beňovský

200 Sk commemorative silver coin

Count Móric Beňovský (20.9.1746 Vrbové – 23.5.1786, Madagascar), a typical representative of the period of the Enlightenment, the development of transport and trade, exploration of unknown regions, French colonel, Ruler of Madagascar, and the first Slovak author of a best-seller, was involved in the history of various countries. After being captured while fighting for the independence of Poland, he was deported to Kamchatka, where he organized his escape. His voyage to Macao was the first known voyage from the north-east to the south-east shores of Asia. The King of France entrusted him with an expedition to Madagascar, where he unified part of the island, and the local tribes granted him the title of “King of Kings”. Upon his return, he attempted to build a fleet of ships for overseas trade. After this failed, he became a general in the American army, and organized another expedition to Madagascar, where he fell in battle with the French in 1786. His travel memoirs were published in London in 1790, and have so far appeared in at least 20 editions in more than ten languages.