About
Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869) was a major figure of French Romanticism. His collection Méditations poétiques (1820) revolutionized poetry with its musicality and intimacy. He also wrote historical works such as the History of the Girondins and autobiographical novels. Engaged in politics, he proclaimed the Second Republic in 1848 and served in the provisional government. He advocated the abolition of slavery and the death penalty, as well as universal male suffrage. After his defeat in the 1848 presidential election, he retired from politics and spent his later years in financial difficulty.
* 1790-10-21 — † 1869-02-28
Major works
- Méditations poétiques (1820)poetry collection
- Nouvelles Méditations (1823)poetry collection
- Harmonies poétiques et religieuses (1830)poetry collection
- Voyage en Orient (1835)travelogue
- Histoire des Girondins (1847)historical work
Key milestones
- 1820Publication of Méditations poétiques, which made him famous.
- 1829Elected to the Académie française.
- 1848Proclaimed the Second Republic and served in the provisional government.
Themes
lovenaturereligionmelancholypolitical liberty
Sources: britannica.com · data.bnf.fr · rpo.library.utoronto.ca