Biography of Nicolas Chamfort
13 April 1794
Sébastien-Roch Nicolas (known as Chamfort) was born on 6 April 1741 in Clermont-Ferrand. Orphaned as a child, is adopted by a wealthy merchant, which gives him the opportunity to study at the collegio del Grassins in Paris. After practicing as a tutor, he deepened his knowledge of literature in Germany. Shortly thereafter, gets considerable success by virtue of his theatrical works: among others, include "La jeune indienne", comedy in verse of 1764, and the Ballets "Palmire, Almaise", compounds the following year Zenis et. During that time, he debuted as a poet by signing the collection "l'homme de lettres" in 1765, followed by "Grandeur de l'homme" two years later. In 1768 he published "The veritè"; Meanwhile, it was also experienced as a political essayist and as a literary critic: in 1767 was the opera "L'influence des grands ècrivains."
The big success came with "Marchand de Smyrne", 1770 comedy after which Chamfort is hit by a serious ailment, which runs from the compositional activity for a few years. Already, during the French Revolution became a Jacobin ardent, man of Talleyrand and Mirabeau: However, its unconventionality soon takes over, and leads him on critical positions rather than the political regime established during the revolution; for this reason, during the reign of terror risk even being arrested. Nicolas Chamfort dies at the age of 53 years, on 13 April 1794 in Paris, following the serious injuries after trying to commit suicide. Particularly pessimistic towards society, Chamfort believes that human beings are inevitably led to a State of despair due to the special relationship between humanity and the system. He is remembered today as one of the most beautiful and brilliant thinkers of modern times, especially through his "Maximes et Pensèes", definitely appreciated, among others, by John Stuart Mill.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.