Emile Fage French critic Date of Birth: 17.12.1847 Country: France

Biography of Émile Faguet

Émile Faguet was a French literary critic and historian. He was known for his erudition, lively writing style, and comparative objectivity, which set him apart from other contemporary French critics. Faguet dedicated four extensive collections of critical studies to the literary works of the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, aiming to make them more accessible and understandable to modern readers without promoting any particular tendency in his essays.

Special works by Faguet focused on French tragedy in the 16th century ("La tragédie au XVI siècle", 1883) and drama ("Drame ancien, drame moderne"). His three series of critical essays titled "Politiques et moralistes du XIX siècle" are particularly popular, and have been translated into Russian. Faguet also wrote a volume dedicated to Voltaire in the "Classiques populaires" collection published by Lecène, Oudin et C-ie. He contributed sections to the extensive "History of the French Language and Literature" edited by Petit de Julleville, including the general preface to the last two volumes, which focus on the 19th century (the Russian translation of these volumes began publication in 1899).

Faguet's study on Gustave Flaubert, written for the series "Grands écrivains français" published by Hachette, was the first comprehensive and solid work on the famous writer. He was also recognized as a theater critic, regularly publishing reviews of the latest plays at the main Parisian theaters in the "Journal des Débats". By 1894, Faguet's theater chronicles and reviews had formed eight volumes (1885-1894). Possessing extensive knowledge, keen observation, and a clear, logical worldview, Faguet was considered one of the most rational, sober, and calm minds. He rarely got carried away and did not succumb to overly subjective personal preferences like the impressionist critics. Faguet often explained and presented ideas rather than sharply criticizing, although he wasn't always on the same level when it came to the realm of fantasy, imagination, and emotions.

One distinctive feature of Faguet's critical evaluations was his preference for the 17th century over the 18th century, to which he did not always do justice. His opinions on current issues of contemporary life were presented in two collections of articles: "Questions politiques" and "Problèmes politiques du temps présent". Faguet's writing style was characterized by liveliness and clarity, and his essays were relatively easy to read, even though the author did not focus particularly on refining his style. In 1901, Faguet was elected a member of the French Academy.

References: Georges Pellissier, "Le mouvement littéraire contemporain" (Paris, 1901).