René Chopin
René Chopin was a Canadian poet born in 1885 in Sault-au-Récollet, Montréal. He studied at Collège Sainte-Marie and Université Laval, where he was encouraged by fellow student Paul Morin to share his poetry publicly. Chopin traveled extensively, particularly in Paris and Rome, before returning to Canada in 1911, during which time he developed his writing skills. His first poetry collection, "Le Coeur en exil," was published in 1913 with support from friends. Notably, Chopin's work is characterized by vivid imagery, particularly relating to astrological themes and celestial bodies, positioning him among the pioneering French Canadian writers to explore such subjects. His poetry has sparked debate among critics regarding the authenticity of his imagery, with some questioning whether it reflects reality or emotional expression. Additionally, his homage to the sun in his writings led to some criticism, although it ultimately contributed to broader conversations about poetic expression in that era. Chopin was part of a burgeoning community of French Canadian writers in early 20th-century Montreal and received recognition, including the Cross of the Chevalier de Latran from Pope Leo XIII. He passed away in 1953.
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René Chopin
Poet
- Born: April 2, 1885
- Birthplace: Sault-au-Récollet, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Died: June 28, 1953
- Place of death: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Biography
Born in 1885 in Sault-au-Récollet, Montréal, Canada, René Chopin was named by his mother after her favorite author, François René de Chateaubriand. Chopin went on to study at the Collège Sainte-Marie and the Université Laval at Montréal. At the latter institution, Chopin met Paul Morin, who encouraged Chopin to publish his poetry. In 1910, Chopin began extensive travels through Paris and Rome. He returned to Canada in 1911 after working on his writing while he traveled. Chopin published his first volume of poetry, Le Coeur en exil, in 1913, with the support of close friends Paul Morin and Marcel Dugas. He soon thereafter began contributing to Nigog, La Revue moderne, and L’Action, publishing Dominantes in 1933. His poetry has been noted for its fantastic imagery and the zeal with which he writes on astrological bodies such as vacuums, polar landscapes, and stars. Chopin’s fascination with astronomy heavily influenced his poetry, and he was among the first French Canadian writers to write predominantly about celestial bodies. Also, there is debate among literary critics about whether Chopin’s imagery, not just of the skies but also landscapes, is actually real or just an expression of his inner emotions. More conflict emerged from his poetry; some accused Chopin of worshipping the sun, since he devoted a part of his book to glorifying it, but not much came of these accusations. His book was important because he was willing to take poetic license with the sun and paved the way for others to follow his lead. Part of an emerging group of French Canadian writers located in Montreal during the early part of the twentieth century, Chopin frequently associated with such contemporaries as Charles Gill and Louis Danton. He received the Cross of the Chevalier de Latran in 1910 from Pope Leo XIII through his associate Count Charles de Chozelles. He died in 1953.