About
Henry de Montherlant (1895-1972) was a French writer born in Paris. Seriously wounded during World War I, he was cited three times in army orders. As a novelist, he published 'Le Songe' (1922), 'Les Bestiaires' (1926), and the tetralogy 'Les Jeunes Filles' (1936-1939). A major playwright of the 20th century, he wrote 'La Reine morte' (1942), 'Le Maître de Santiago' (1947), and 'Port-Royal' (1954). As an essayist, he authored 'Service inutile' (1935). Elected to the Académie française in 1960, he received the Grand Prix de littérature in 1934 for 'Les Célibataires'. His work, classical in style, explores virility, honor, and the refusal of compromise. He died by suicide in Paris in 1972.
* 1895-04-20 — † 1972-09-21
Major works
- Le Songe (1922)novel
- Les Bestiaires (1926)novel
- Les Célibataires (1934)novel
- Les Jeunes Filles (1936)novel
- La Reine morte (1942)play
Key milestones
- 1934Receives the Grand Prix de littérature from the Académie française for 'Les Célibataires'.
- 1960Elected to the Académie française, in the seat of André Siegfried.
- 1972Dies by suicide at his home on the Quai Voltaire in Paris.
Themes
virilityhonorrefusal of compromiseausterityclassicism
Sources: academie-francaise.fr · oxfordreference.com