About
Valery Larbaud (1881-1957) was a French writer, translator and literary critic. Born in Vichy, he inherited a fortune that allowed him to travel and devote himself to writing. A polyglot, he is known for his novel A.O. Barnabooth (1913) and for introducing French readers to authors such as James Joyce, Joseph Conrad and Walt Whitman. His work explores themes of cosmopolitanism and childhood. Struck by hemiplegia in 1935, he remained paralyzed until his death.
* 1881-08-28 — † 1957-02-02
Major works
- Fermina Márquez (1911)novel
- A.O. Barnabooth (1913)novel
- Enfantines (1918)short story collection
- Ce Vice impuni, la lecture : domaine anglais (1925)critical essay
- Ce Vice impuni, la lecture : domaine français (1941)critical essay
Key milestones
- 1935Struck by hemiplegia and aphasia, he remained paralyzed until his death.
- 1952Awarded the Grand prix national des Lettres.
- 1967Creation of the Prix Valery Larbaud, which has rewarded writers such as J.M.G. Le Clézio and Emmanuel Carrère.
Themes
CosmopolitanismChildhoodTravelReadingTranslation
Sources: id.loc.gov · britannica.com