Ogust Barbier French poet Date of Birth: 29.04.1805 Country: France

1. Birth and Early Life
2. Literary Debut and "Les Jambes"
3. "Il Pianto" and "Lazare"
4. Later Works and Reception
5. Academy and Death
6. Legacy and Russian Translations

Birth and Early Life

Henri-Auguste Barbier was born in Paris on April 28, 1805. Being financially secure, he lived independently in Paris, free from societal or political obligations.

Literary Debut and "Les Jambes"

After the July Revolution, Barbier's satires began appearing in "Revue de Paris," garnering him recognition. They were published in a collection titled "Les Jambes" (1831), which depicted the distressing state of French society with poetic fire and blunt criticism. Passions flared, and excerpts from his verses became popular proverbs.

"Il Pianto" and "Lazare"

Barbier's notable works included "Il Pianto" and "Lazare," which addressed Italy's degradation and the plight of the British working class respectively. Both were initially published in "Revue des deux Mondes," later included in "Jambes" (1837), and received critical acclaim.

Later Works and Reception

Barbier's subsequent satires, "Erostiate" and "Potdevin," failed to garner attention. His "Chant civil et religieux" (1841) and "Rimes heroiques" (1843), a collection of historical sonnets, were also met with indifference. However, later in life, "Silves, poesies diverses" (1864) and "Satires" (1865) were published. His novellas, "Trois passions" (1867), were of lesser significance.

Academy and Death

In 1869, Barbier was elected to the French Academy. He passed away in Nice on February 14, 1882, leaving behind posthumous works such as "Souvenirs personnels" (1883) and "Poesies posthumes" (1884).

Legacy and Russian Translations

Barbier's "Les Jambes" has had a profound impact on French literature. It has been translated into Russian by renowned poets such as Kovaleivsky, Vasily Kurochkin, Burenin, and Minaev, further cementing his influence in the literary world.