A brief historical account on the Hungarian lichenology is given in three stages. The early stage involves the oldest collections and the lichenological activity of F. Hazslinszky. In the mid-stage a separate, independent lichen collection was established in the Natural History Museum, and a rapid development of floristical and taxonomic research took place. Recent lichenological research in Hungary follows several fields: taxonomy, biogeography, bioindication and ecophysiology.