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Jean Jules JusserandFrench diplomat and literary scholar, specialist in the history of English literature.
Date of Birth: 18.02.1855
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Content:
Early Life and Career
Jules Jusserand was a renowned French diplomat and literary scholar who specialized in English literature. Throughout his career, he served in various diplomatic roles, including head of Tunisian affairs in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and counselor to the French Embassy in London.
Scholarly Contributions
Jusserand made significant contributions to the study of English literature. His seminal work, "Le Théàtre en Angleterre depuis la conquête jusqu’aux prédécesseurs immédiats de Shakespeare" ("Theater in England from the Norman Conquest to the Immediate Predecessors of Shakespeare"), published in 1877, explored the evolution of English theater.
Jusserand's other notable works include "Les Anglais au moyen âge; la vie nomade et les routes d’Angleterre au XIV siècle" ("The English in the Middle Ages: The Nomadic Life and the Roads of England in the 14th Century," 1884), which focused on minstrels and medieval England; "Le Roman anglais; origine et formation des grandes écoles de romanciers anglais du XVIII siècle" ("The English Novel: Origin and Formation of the Great Schools of English Novelists of the 18th Century," 1886); and "Le Roman au temps de Shakespeare" ("The Novel in Shakespeare's Time," 1888).
Impact on American Literature
Jusserand's influence extended beyond England to the United States. While serving as French Ambassador to the U.S., he published "With Americans of Past and Present Days" in 1916. This work, based on his observations and interactions with notable Americans, earned him the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in 1917, making him the first foreigner and the first recipient in the category of "History of the United States."
Legacy
Jusserand also played a pivotal role in editing and publishing William Langland's seminal work, "Piers Plowman." His contributions to the study of English literature, diplomatic relations, and American literature have left an enduring legacy that continues to be recognized and celebrated today.