About
Paul Claudel (1868-1955) was a French writer and diplomat. Born in Villeneuve-sur-Fère, he converted to Roman Catholicism at 18, an event that deeply marked his work. Admitted to the Quai d'Orsay in 1890, he pursued a diplomatic career spanning over forty years, notably in China, Japan, the United States, and Belgium. His theater, dominated by The Satin Slipper, explores religious and metaphysical themes. As a poet, he invented the Claudelian verse. Elected to the Académie française in 1946, he left a considerable body of work, between mysticism and commitment.
* 1868-08-06 — † 1955-02-23
Major works
- Tête d'or (1889)play
- Partage de midi (1906)play
- Cinq grandes odes (1910)poetry collection
- L'Annonce faite à Marie (1912)play
- Le Soulier de satin (1929)play
Key milestones
- 1886Conversion to Catholicism at Notre-Dame de Paris
- 1921Appointed French ambassador to Japan
- 1946Elected to the Académie française
Themes
Catholic faithRedemptionLove and sacrificeExile and travelMysticism
Sources: britannica.com · larousse.fr · diplomatie.gouv.fr