Remy de Gourmont

Full Name and Common Aliases

Remy de Gourmont was a French writer, critic, and poet whose real name was Remy Marie Guillaume de Gourmont. He is often referred to by his initials "RDG" or simply as "de Gourmont".

Birth and Death Dates

Born on August 22, 1851, in Havre, Normandy, France, Remy de Gourmont passed away on September 13, 1915.

Nationality and Profession(s)

Remy de Gourmont was a French writer, critic, poet, and novelist. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of French literature during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Early Life and Background

De Gourmont was born into a wealthy family, whose roots went back to the nobility. His father was a successful businessman, and his mother came from a long line of aristocrats. Growing up in Havre, de Gourmont developed a love for literature at an early age. He attended the Collège Sainte-Barbe in Paris before moving on to study philosophy at the École Normale Supérieure.

Major Accomplishments

Throughout his career, de Gourmont made significant contributions to French literature. Some of his major accomplishments include:

Editor-in-chief of the influential literary magazine L'Ermitage from 1890 to 1894.
Co-founder and editor of the avant-garde journal La Revue Blanche, which played a key role in promoting the works of writers such as Marcel Proust and André Gide.

Notable Works or Actions

Some of de Gourmont's notable works include:

The Gods of the Circle (1895), a collection of essays that explored the relationship between art, literature, and spirituality.
The Natural Philosophy of Love (1896), a book that examined the role of love in human life.

Impact and Legacy

De Gourmont's influence on French literature cannot be overstated. He was a pioneer of the Symbolist movement, which emphasized the use of symbols and imagery to convey complex ideas and emotions. His work also had an impact on the development of modernism, influencing writers such as James Joyce and Virginia Woolf.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered

Remy de Gourmont is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful and provocative writings on art, literature, and philosophy. His contributions to French literature have had a lasting impact, shaping the course of literary history in the 20th century.