Valentin Conrart

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Valentin Conrart, 1635.
Valentin Conrart, 1635.
French literature
By category
French literary history

Medieval
16th century · 17th century
18th century · 19th century
20th century · Contemporary

French writers

Chronological list
Writers by category
Novelists · Playwrights
Poets · Essayists
Short story writers

France portal
Literature portal
This box: view  talk  edit

Valentin Conrart (or Conrard) (1603 - 23 September 1675) was one of the founders of the Académie française.

[edit] Biography

He was born in Paris of Calvinist parents, and was educated for business. However, after his father's death in 1620, he began to move in literary circles, and soon acquired a reputation, though he wrote nothing for many years. He was made councillor and secretary to the king; and in 1629 his house became the resort of a group who met to talk over literary subjects, and to read and mutually criticize their works.

Cardinal Richelieu offered the society his protection, and in this way (1635) the Académie française was created. Its first meetings were held in Conrart's house. He was unanimously elected secretary, and discharged the duties of his post for forty-three years, till his death.

The most important of Conrart's written works is his Mémoires sur l'histoire de son temps published by L.J.N. de Monmerqué in 1825.

[edit] Bibliography

  • R. Kerviler and Edouard de Barthélemy, Conrart, sa vie et sa correspondance (1881);
  • C.B. Petitot, Mémoires relatifs à l'histoire de France, tome xlviii.;
  • Sainte-Beuve, Causeries du lundi (19 juillet 1858).

[edit] References

Preceded by
First member
Seat 2
Académie française

1634–1675
Succeeded by
Toussaint Rose
Personal tools