François Mauriac

Born:

11 October 1885, Bordeaux, France

Died:

1 September 1970, Paris, France

Nationality:

French

Profession(s):

Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Essayist, Critic

Early Life and Education

• Born into a wealthy, devout Catholic family in Bordeaux.
• Father died when François was less than two years old; raised primarily by his mother.
• Educated at the University of Bordeaux, studying literature.
• Moved to Paris in 1906 to prepare for the entrance examination to the École des Chartes, but soon abandoned this pursuit to focus on writing.

Career and Major Achievements

• Published his first collection of poetry, Les Mains jointes, in 1909.
• Gained recognition for his novels exploring themes of sin, grace, and the complexities of family life in the Bordeaux region.
• Elected to the Académie française in 1933.
• Worked as a journalist and literary critic for various publications.
• Participated in the French Resistance during World War II, publishing articles in clandestine journals.
• Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1952 "for the deep spiritual insight and the artistic intensity with which he has in his novels penetrated the drama of human life".

Notable Works

• Novels: Le Baiser au lépreux (1922), Génitrix (1923), Thérèse Desqueyroux (1927), Noeud de vipères (1932), Le Mystère Frontenac (1933), Le Sagouin (1951).
• Plays: Asmodée (1938), Les Mal Aimés (1945).
• Essays and Memoirs: Souffrances et bonheur du chrétien (1931), Mémoires intérieurs (1959).

Legacy and Impact

François Mauriac remains a significant figure in 20th-century French literature. His novels, often set in the Landes region around the Chateau de Francois Mauriac, explore moral and spiritual conflicts within individuals and families. His profound exploration of human nature and his insightful portrayal of Catholic guilt and redemption earned him international acclaim, culminating in the Nobel Prize. He is remembered for his powerful prose and his unflinching examination of the complexities of human existence.

Nobel Prize

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