Biography of Alfred de Vigny

The values of the literature

27 March 1797
17 September 1863
Alfred Victor de Vigny was born in Loches (France) on 27 March 1797 in an aristocratic family: her father is a veteran of the seven years ' war; She is the mother, the father of twenty years younger, to educate Alfred during his early years, inspired by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. As with many French noble families, after the revolution, the standard of living of the De Vigny is lowered strongly. Only after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, in 1814 returned the monarchy of Louis XVIII, brother of Louis XVI. In 1814 Alfred de Vigny is a second lieutenant in the "gendarmes"; his military career continued the following year when he enters the Royal Guard dismounted and in 1823 when he was promoted to captain; as an officer is posted at the border during the war of Spain; He resigned in 1828. Later she moved to Paris together with his consort, the English Lydia Bunbury, who had married in 1825. De Vigny becomes a member of the Cenacle revival, circle of intellectuals that gathers at the home of Victor Hugo.
Always attracted by the literature, and particularly gifted in French history and Biblical, Alfred de Vigny began writing verses in 1815. Her first book ("Poèmes") appears in 1822; in 1826, a new edition ("Poèmes antiques et modernes"), where they are added others, including "Malcolm" (Moses), "Eloa," "Le Déluge" (the flood) and "Le Cor" (the hunting horn). In 1837 he adds new ones: "La Neige", "Madame de Soubise", "La Frégate", "Sérieuse", "Paris", "Les Amants de Montmorency". The work in prose narrative entitled "Cinq-Mars" comes out in 1826: this is a historical novel inspired by the plot that Henry of Cinq-Mars, young Marquis of Effiat, arranged to remove the Cardinal Richelieu. Alfred de Vigny, giving much credit to the character of Cinq-Mars, takes sides in favor of an aristocracy remained true to a noble ideal. The author takes the liberty of significantly alters the historical events: his story mentions that the plot had been dictated by personal ambition and not by loyalty to the King. Vigny is also working in collaboration with Emile Deschamps to produce a version of "Romeo and Juliet" in 1827; two years later reworks "The More de Venise" (the moor of Venice).
"La Maréchale d'ancre" in 1831, his first play original: a historical drama on the events of the reign of Louis XIII of France. In this period he met the actress Marie Dorval, which becomes his mistress until 1838. In 1835 is staged the drama "Chatterton" in which Marie Dorval plays the role of Kitty Bell. "Chatterton" is considered one of the most important French romantic dramas, taken from one of the three episodes of "Stello" (he had already written in 1832) in which the author develops the idea of the poet outcast of modern society. The same year's "Servitude et grandeur militaires" (military servitude and greatness), a reenactment of the long experience of soldier of Vigny. Despite its success as an author, you cannot consider his personal life as happy.
The wedding this deeply disappoints: the wife soon proves a superficial woman, little interested in literature and becomes physically obese people; the relationship with Marie Dorval becomes stormy and full of jealousy, her literary talent is eclipsed by others. After her mother's death in 1838, Alfred de Vigny inherits the property of Maine-Giraud, at Angoulême, where he withdraws and where he writes some of his most famous poems, including "La Mort du lup" (the death of the Wolf) and "La Maison du berger" (La casa del pastore), which Marcel Proust considers as the best poetry of the 19th century. In 1845, after several attempts he was elected a member of the "Académie française", context in which Vigny is received rudely by Molé. During his last years of life stops publish, although continues to write; her diary is considered by modern academic work on itself. Vigny is considers a philosopher rather than a literary author; It is also worth mentioning that it is one of the first French authors became interested in Buddhism.
If his life philosophy is pessimistic and stoical, should be given the importance it gives to the brotherhood of man, as well as the values of culture, knowledge and solidarity. It takes several years to write the second volume of poems "Les Destinées" (the destiny) that ends with his final message to the World, "L'esprit pur" (pure spirit); This work was published after his death in Paris on day 17 September 1863, a few months after the death of the wife. Vigny died of stomach cancer at the age of 96 years, after a year of physical suffering borne with courage. Buried in the cemetery of Montmartre, a few years after his death he published his "Journal d'un poète" (1867), a collection of philosophical notes, reflections and sketches published by Louis Ratisbonne.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.