Pierre Emmanuel
Pierre Emmanuel, born Noël Jean Mathieu on May 3, 1916, in southwestern France, was a prominent French poet renowned for his exploration of biblical and mythic themes. He began his higher education in engineering but shifted to philosophy at the University of Lyon. Emmanuel's literary career took off during a tumultuous period in France, and he became known for his resistance poetry amidst the German occupation during World War II. His first major collection, "Tombeau d'Orphée," was published in 1941, and he continued to write influential works throughout his life, including critically acclaimed volumes like "Babel" and "Jacob."
Emmanuel's poetry often navigated the tensions between spirituality and earthly experiences. He held academic positions at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Johns Hopkins and received numerous honors, including the Grand Prix de Poesie from the French Academy. His later works continued to reflect his deep engagement with philosophical and spiritual questions. Pierre Emmanuel passed away from cancer on September 22, 1984, leaving behind a rich legacy as one of the most prolific poets in French literature.
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Pierre Emmanuel
Poet
- Born: May 3, 1916
- Birthplace: Gan, France
- Died: September 22, 1984
Biography
Pierre Emmanuel was born Noël Jean Mathieu on May 3, 1916, at Gan in Southwestern France. His parents, Emile and Maria Boulogne Mathieu, immigrated to the United States after his birth, leaving him in the care of relatives. As an adolescent, he moved to Lyon to begin his engineering education. At the age of eighteen, he enrolled at the University of Lyon as a philosophy student. From 1936 to 1940, he taught high-school mathematics and philosophy in Northern France. In 1938, he married Jeanne Crepy; the marriage ended some years later. He married Janine Loo in 1952. He had two children.
In 1937, Emmanuel met the writer Pierre Jean Jouve in Paris. Jouve greatly influenced Emmanuel’s poetry, both in style and theme. In addition, he influenced Emmanuel’s choice of pseudonym. Emmanuel’s first collection of poetry, Elégies, was published in 1940. His first major collection, Tombeau d’Orphée (tomb of Orpheus), was published in 1941.
Around this time, Germany invaded France, and Emmanuel relocated with Joeve to Dieulefit. He spent his time there writing poetry and working for the resistance. His resistance poems were published in 1942 in two volumes: Jour de colère (day of wrath), and Combats avex tes défenseurs (battles with your defenders). From 1945 to 1949, he worked for French radio.
Emmanuel published a collection of autobiographical essays, Qui est homme? in 1947. The volume was translated as The Universal Singular in 1950. His most critically acclaimed volumes are Babel, published in 1951, and Jacob, published in 1970. He served as visiting professor at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Brandeis. In 1984, his final collection, Le Grand œuvre: Cosmogonie (the great work: cosmogony), was published. He died of cancer on September 22, 1984.
In 1963, Emmanuel was awarded the Grand Prix de Poesie of the French Academy. In 1968, he was elected to the French Academy. His honorary titles include chevalier du Legion d’Honneur, grand officier de l’Ordre National du Merit, commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, and commandeur du Drapeau Yougoslave. In addition, he was awarded honorary doctorates from Oxford, Neufchâtel, and Montreal Universities, as well as the University of Pennsylvania.
One of the most prolific of French poets, Pierre Emmanuel was known for both lyric and narrative epic poems. He often explored biblical and mythic themes, as well as the tensions between spiritualism and earthly eroticism.