BECK, Karl (1817-79). An Austrian poet, born in Baja, Hungary. He studied in Vienna and Leipzig, lived in Berlin from 1844 until the outbreak of the Revolution of 1848, and subsequently in Vienna, where he was an editor of the Lloyd. His poetic writings skillfully interpret the national life and spirit of Hungary. Jankó, der ungarische Rosshirt (1842; 3d ed., 1870) is considered by many his best work. Other volumes are Gesammelte Gedichte (1844; 9th ed. 1869) and Aus der Heimat (1852; 4th ed. 1862).