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😉 Greetings lovers of literature and history! François René de Chateaubriand is a writer, statesman, “father” of French romanticism. Born in Brittany, in the family castle of Comburg.
In 1786 he first came to Paris. During the period of secular life in Paris (1787-1789), his first literary (poetic) experiments are related.
In the spring of 1791, François went to America with the ambitious hope of making important geographical discoveries. Having accidentally learned about the arrest of Louis XVI by the revolutionary authorities, in 1792 he returned to France.
He took part in the hostilities of the counter-revolutionary army. Eventually, he ended up in England. There he lived in exile from 1793 to 1800.
In 1797, few people noticed “… experience about ancient and new revolutions” was published here. This book is in many respects “Voltairian”, skeptical, full of hopeless disappointment in people and in God.
“Genius of Christianity” and other works of Chateaubriand
1798-1799 years. Chateaubriand returned to religion and began work on The Genius of Christianity. He returned to his homeland in 1800 and a year later published an excerpt from this book – the story “Atala”.
Portrait of Chateaubriand. Artist Etienne Jora
Atala, as well as the first complete edition of The Genius of Christianity that appeared a year later, brought the author a huge success.
At this time, Napoleon, seeking an alliance with the church, entered into a concordat with Pope Pius VII. The book of Chateaubriand came in handy, and the writer was at the mercy of the emperor. In 1803 he was appointed secretary of the embassy in Rome.
Soon, his diplomatic career was cut short. Having expressed his disagreement with the illegal execution of the Duke of Enghien, Chateaubriand found himself in opposition. He went on a journey to the East (1806).
The fruit of this journey was two significant works – the poem “Martyrs” and “Journey from Paris to Jerusalem.” Chateaubriand wrote a passionate pamphlet against Napoleon “On Bonaparte and the Bourbons”, which was published in early April 1814, immediately after the fall of the emperor.
During the era of the Restoration, Chateaubriand initially became an active supporter of the new government. In 1823, he was even appointed to the post of head of the French Foreign Ministry. However, gradually the position of Chateaubriand became liberal.
He argued with the ultra-royalists in the pamphlet Monarchy Under the Charter and in articles. Then he went over to the liberal opposition.
Francois René de Chateaubriand (ceremonial portrait), 1828
In 1826, the complete collection of Chateaubriand’s works began to appear. In addition to already published works, it includes the youth epic “Nacheza”, “Journey to America”, “Moorish” short story “The Adventures of the Last of Abenserag”, as well as “Experience of Revolutions”, accompanied by autopolemic commentaries.
Without a livelihood
Chateaubriand did not inspire sympathy for the spirit of profit that reigned in the country with Louis-Philippe. Having renounced the title of peerage awarded to him by Louis XVIII, and the pension due in connection with this, the writer was left practically without means of subsistence. From now on, he earned his living exclusively by literary work.
He studied a lot of history, which resulted in “Historical Studies”, about the first centuries of Christianity and the collapse of the Roman Empire.
Chateaubriand published “An Experience of English Literature”, a book of memoir-historical character “The Verona Congress”, “Life Before” (1844) – a biography of one of the famous religious figures of the XNUMXth century.
Chateaubriand and “Memorial Notes”
The largest creation of these years – “Burial Notes” – a book of memoirs about his life and about the life of revolutionary and post-revolutionary Europe. The first draft of the memoirs dates back to 1803, but the author took up them closely in the 20s and 30s.
The rejection of modernity led to a kind of author’s position: his notes were intended to become literally “burial”. The writer bequeathed to publish them only after his death.
Not wanting to see his contemporaries as his readers, he preferred to appeal to his descendants. Indeed, the “Notes” saw the light only after the death of the author. François Rene de Chateaubriand died on July 4, 1848.
Chateaubriand’s fame during his lifetime was enormous. For the French, he always remained a “classic”, a “school” author.
Video
This video provides additional information on the life and work of Chateaubriand.
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