Valentin Conrart
Encyclopedia
Valentin Conrart was a French author, and as a founder of the Académie française
, the first occupant of seat 2.
parents, and was educated for business. However, after his father's death in 1620, he began to move in literary circles, and soon acquired a reputation, though he wrote nothing for many years. He was made councillor and secretary to the king; and in 1629 his house became the resort of a group who met to talk over literary subjects, and to read and mutually criticize their works.
Cardinal Richelieu offered the society his protection, and in this way (1635) the Académie française was created. Its first meetings were held in Conrart's house. He was unanimously elected secretary, and discharged the duties of his post for forty-three years, till his death.
Académie française
L'Académie française , also called the French Academy, is the pre-eminent French learned body on matters pertaining to the French language. The Académie was officially established in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu, the chief minister to King Louis XIII. Suppressed in 1793 during the French Revolution,...
, the first occupant of seat 2.
Biography
He was born in Paris of CalvinistCalvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
parents, and was educated for business. However, after his father's death in 1620, he began to move in literary circles, and soon acquired a reputation, though he wrote nothing for many years. He was made councillor and secretary to the king; and in 1629 his house became the resort of a group who met to talk over literary subjects, and to read and mutually criticize their works.
Cardinal Richelieu offered the society his protection, and in this way (1635) the Académie française was created. Its first meetings were held in Conrart's house. He was unanimously elected secretary, and discharged the duties of his post for forty-three years, till his death.