Charles-Louis Philippe
Charles-Louis Philippe was a French novelist born in 1874 in Cérilly, France. He came from humble beginnings as the child of a cobbler and initially aspired to join the military, but his height prevented him from qualifying for the prestigious École Polytechnique. Instead, he took on roles in public service, working as an inspector for the Parisian health service and later as a municipal civil servant. Despite these early career setbacks, Philippe nurtured his passion for writing and gained recognition for his romantic novels that celebrated the heroism of the poor and common people.
His literary journey began with poetry, eventually leading to the publication of his first work in a Belgian periodical. Philippe became part of the vibrant artistic community in Paris during the 1890s, interacting with esteemed contemporaries. Among his notable works are "Bubu de Montparnasse" (1901), which depicts life in Paris, and "Le Père Perdrix" (1903), set in the countryside. He faced challenges with the reception of his works, as two of his novels were considered for the Prix Goncourt but did not win. Tragically, Charles-Louis Philippe's life was cut short when he died at the age of thirty-five due to typhoid and meningitis in Paris in 1909.
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Charles-Louis Philippe
Author
- Born: August 4, 1874
- Birthplace: Cérilly, France
- Died: December 21, 1909
- Place of death: Paris, France
Biography
Charles-Louis Philippe, best known for his romantic novels portraying the heroism of the poor and common man, was born Louis Philippe in 1874 in Cérilly, France. He and his twin sister were the children of a cobbler. Philippe was a good student and aspired to be a military officer, but he did not qualify when he applied to study at the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique because he was too short. Instead, Philippe went to work as an inspector for the Parisian health service and later was a municipal civil servant in Paris.
He had already begun to express his talent for writing poetry, and he sent his work to renowned authors of his era such as Stephane Mallarmé and René Ghil. He became acquainted with many other authors and artists who were living in Paris in the 1890’s. His first work was published in Stella, a Belgian periodical. Ghil and some of Philippe’s other friends provided monetary support for some of his literary projects, including his book of short stories, Quatre histoires de pauvre amour (1897).
Philippe’s stories and novels were set in Paris and the home of his youth, Bourbonnais. One of his most notable novels set in Paris, Bubu de Montparnasse (1901; Bubu of Montparnasse, 1932), was published the same year that he received a promotion at his municipal government job. Le Père Perdrix (1903; A Simple Story, 1924) was set in the country. Marie Donadieu (1904; Marie Donadieu, 1924) was based upon Philippe’s affair with his friend’s mistress. Charles Blanchard (1913) was based on his father’s childhood and written as a tribute to him.
Both Marie Donadieu and another novel, Croquignole (1906), were entered for consideration for the Prix Goncourt competition, but neither was awarded the prize. Philippe died of typhoid and meningitis in Paris on December 21, 1909. He was thirty-five years old.