Chateaubriand

François-René, vicomte de Chateaubriand (1768 – 1848) was a French writer, politician, diplomat and historian who is often considered the founder of Romanticism in French literature. His works are noted for their eloquence and their passionate defense of Catholicism and the monarchy.

Early life

Chateaubriand was born in Saint-Malo, a seaport town in Brittany. His father was a ship owner and his mother was the daughter of a local magistrate. He was educated at the College of Dinan and later at the University of Rennes.

Career

Chateaubriand began his career as a soldier, serving in the French army during the French Revolution. However, he soon became disillusioned with the violence of the revolution and emigrated to England in 1793.

In England, Chateaubriand began to write. His first major work, Essai sur les révolutions, was published in 1797. This was followed by Atala in 1801 and René in 1802, both of which were highly successful and established his reputation as a leading writer.

In 1803, Chateaubriand returned to France and entered politics. He served as a diplomat in several countries, including the United States, and was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1822. He also served as a member of the Chamber of Peers.

Later life and death

In his later years, Chateaubriand devoted himself to writing his memoirs, Mémoires d'Outre-Tombe, which were published posthumously. He died in Paris in 1848.

Legacy

Chateaubriand's influence on French literature is profound. His works helped to shape the Romantic movement and his ideas about the importance of emotion and individual experience in literature continue to be influential.