Edgar Quinet French historian. Date of Birth: 17.02.1803 Country: France

1. Early Life and Influences
2. Literary and Historical Achievements
3. Political and Exilic Life
4. Literary Contributions and Legacy

Early Life and Influences

Édgar Quinet was born into a family of fervent Republicans. His father, a strict Republican named Jérôme Quinet, resigned his position upon the rise of Napoleon and retreated to a provincial life of scientific study. Quinet's mother, a deeply religious but unconventional Catholic, exerted a profound influence on his development.

Despite his father's wishes, Quinet briefly served in the military before pursuing his intellectual interests. His first notable work, "Tablettes du Juif Errant," was published in 1823. Inspired by Herder's "Philosophie der Geschichte," Quinet translated and published it in 1827, gaining significant recognition.

Literary and Historical Achievements

In the 1830s, Quinet emerged as a prominent literary figure. As a contributor to the "Revue des Deux Mondes," he penned the influential essay "Les Epopées Françaises du XII-ième Siècle," which recognized the value of previously neglected chansons de geste. His first major literary work, "Ahasverus," was a prose poem published in 1833. This was followed by two epic poems, "Napoléon" and "Prométhée," which, while not as acclaimed as "Ahasverus," showcased his literary talents.

Quinet was also a dedicated historian. In 1838, he published a scathing response to Strauss's "Life of Jesus." After being appointed professor of foreign literatures at Lyon in 1839, he collected his lectures into the influential "Génie des Religions." Two years later, he transferred to the Collège de France, where he engaged in a heated polemic against the Jesuits and Ultramontanes.

Political and Exilic Life

As a consequence of his liberal views, Quinet's lectures were suspended in 1845, leading him to identify with the Republican cause and become a vocal critic of Prince Louis-Napoleon. Exiled from France after the December coup d'état, he settled in Brussels and later in Vevay, Switzerland.

Upon the fall of the Empire, Quinet returned to Paris and resumed his lectures. During the Prussian siege, he wrote numerous scathing pamphlets denouncing the Germans. Elected to the National Assembly in 1871, he vigorously opposed the peace treaty with Germany.

Literary Contributions and Legacy

Throughout his later literary career, Quinet produced significant works, including "Les Révolutions d'Italie" (1848), "Les Esclaves" (1853), "Merlin l'Enchanteur" (1860), and his comprehensive historical work on the French Revolution, "La Révolution" (1866).

Quinet's writing was characterized by its breadth of research, remarkable insights, and eloquent prose. Despite his sprawling and sometimes unfocused nature, his works remain a testament to his enduring intellect and commitment to social and political justice.