François Charles Mauriac
- Born:
- October 11, 1885, Bordeaux, France
- Died:
- September 1, 1970, Paris, France
- Nationality:
- French
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a wealthy Catholic family in Bordeaux.
- Studied at the Lycée Michel-Montaigne in Bordeaux.
- Moved to Paris in 1906 to prepare for the entrance examination to the École des Chartes, but abandoned the studies after a few months.
- Earned a degree in literature.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his literary career as a poet.
- Published his first novel, L'Enfant chargé de chaînes, in 1913.
- Served in the Ambulance Corps during World War I.
- Gained recognition for his novels exploring themes of sin, guilt, and redemption within bourgeois Catholic families.
- Elected to the Académie française in 1933.
- Won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1952.
- Continued writing novels, plays, essays, and journalism throughout his career.
Notable Works
- Novels: Le Baiser au lépreux (1922), Thérèse Desqueyroux (1927), Le Nœud de vipères (1932), Le Mystère Frontenac (1933), La Pharisienne (1941), Un adolescent d'autrefois (1969)
- Plays: Asmodée (1937), Les Mal Aimés (1945)
- Essays: Numerous essays on literature, politics, and religion.
Legacy and Impact
François Mauriac is remembered as one of the most important French writers of the 20th century. His works explore the complexities of human nature, particularly the inner conflicts of faith and desire. Discussions around the nature of a 'chateau de francois mauriac biography' often highlight the thematic weight of his family saga settings. His Nobel Prize recognized his deep spiritual insight and artistic intensity.