Édouard Dujardin
Encyclopedia
Édouard Dujardin was a French writer, one of the early users of the stream of consciousness literary technique, exemplified by his 1888 novel Les Lauriers sont coupés.
, Loir-et-Cher
, and was the only child of Alphonse Dujardin, a sea captain. He was educated at the Lycée Pierre Corneille
in Rouen.
Dujardin became editor of the journal Revue Indépendente in 1886, and it was in this journal that his first works were published. His association with this journal resulted in it being termed an "important voice for the symbolists" (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
2004).
When his parents died, Dujardin was the sole heir to their fortune, and he used some of this money to finance the plays Antonia in 1891 and Le Chevalier Du Passé in 1882.
His literary works are extensive and include numerous plays, poems and novels. Dujardin also produced works of literary and social criticism and reminiscence. James Joyce
claimed his style of interior monologue owed its influence to works by Dujardin. He continued his involvement with journalism throughout his life and this resulted in numerous disputes with authorities, including charges of treason, though he was never convicted.
Dujardin had expensive and lavish tastes for clothing which was deemed "dandyish" for his time, and was known to frequent Parisian night life. His many dalliances with women were noted and he had had numerous relationships with actresses, models and other glamorous women. Dujardin was also known to have many female friends involved in the arts and he supported some of them financially.
His frivolous lifestyle eventually reduced his finances so he began numerous financial ventures, including gambling and real estate. He also offered his services to periodicals for marketing and advertising campaigns. It was here that the police noticed an article compiled by Dujardin which resulted in a jail sentence, though it was later remitted.
In 1885 Dujardin and Téodor de Wyzewa
initiated the Revue Wagnérienne, imitating Félix Fénéon
and his Revue Indépendante which had first been published the year before. In 1886 Dujardin and Fénéon joined forces under the banner of a new improved Revue Indépendante. One of the innovations at this time was that the Revue started having small exhibitions in its rooms.
Dujardin married a woman named Germaine in 1893 and they later separated in 1901. They did not divorce until 1924 when he married Marie Chenou, a woman thirty years his junior. He fathered two children, lived a peaceful life during his old age and died aged 88 years old on October 31, 1949.
Biography
Édouard Émile Louis Dujardin was born in Saint-Gervais-la-ForêtSaint-Gervais-la-Forêt
Saint-Gervais-la-Forêt is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department of central France.-References:*...
, Loir-et-Cher
Loir-et-Cher
Loir-et-Cher is a département in north-central France named after the rivers Loir and Cher.-History:Loir-et-Cher is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Orléanais and...
, and was the only child of Alphonse Dujardin, a sea captain. He was educated at the Lycée Pierre Corneille
Lycée Pierre Corneille (Rouen)
The Lycée Pierre-Corneille is a school in Rouen, France. It was founded by the Archbishop of Rouen, Charles, Cardinal de Bourbon and run by the Jesuits to educate the children of the aristocracy and bourgeoisie in accordance with the purest doctrinal principles of Roman Catholicism...
in Rouen.
Dujardin became editor of the journal Revue Indépendente in 1886, and it was in this journal that his first works were published. His association with this journal resulted in it being termed an "important voice for the symbolists" (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
The Harry Ransom Center is a library and archive at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in the collection of literary and cultural artifacts from the United States and Europe. The Ransom Center houses 36 million literary manuscripts, 1 million rare books, 5 million photographs, and more...
2004).
When his parents died, Dujardin was the sole heir to their fortune, and he used some of this money to finance the plays Antonia in 1891 and Le Chevalier Du Passé in 1882.
His literary works are extensive and include numerous plays, poems and novels. Dujardin also produced works of literary and social criticism and reminiscence. James Joyce
James Joyce
James Augustine Aloysius Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century...
claimed his style of interior monologue owed its influence to works by Dujardin. He continued his involvement with journalism throughout his life and this resulted in numerous disputes with authorities, including charges of treason, though he was never convicted.
Dujardin had expensive and lavish tastes for clothing which was deemed "dandyish" for his time, and was known to frequent Parisian night life. His many dalliances with women were noted and he had had numerous relationships with actresses, models and other glamorous women. Dujardin was also known to have many female friends involved in the arts and he supported some of them financially.
His frivolous lifestyle eventually reduced his finances so he began numerous financial ventures, including gambling and real estate. He also offered his services to periodicals for marketing and advertising campaigns. It was here that the police noticed an article compiled by Dujardin which resulted in a jail sentence, though it was later remitted.
In 1885 Dujardin and Téodor de Wyzewa
Téodor de Wyzewa
Téodor de Wyzewa born as Teodor Wyżewski , of Polish origin, was a leading exponent of the Symbolist movement in France.With Édouard Dujardin he created La Revue wagnérienne in 1885...
initiated the Revue Wagnérienne, imitating Félix Fénéon
Félix Fénéon
Félix Fénéon was a Parisian anarchist and art critic during the late 19th century...
and his Revue Indépendante which had first been published the year before. In 1886 Dujardin and Fénéon joined forces under the banner of a new improved Revue Indépendante. One of the innovations at this time was that the Revue started having small exhibitions in its rooms.
Dujardin married a woman named Germaine in 1893 and they later separated in 1901. They did not divorce until 1924 when he married Marie Chenou, a woman thirty years his junior. He fathered two children, lived a peaceful life during his old age and died aged 88 years old on October 31, 1949.
Plays
- Le Chevalier Du Passé (1882)
- Antonia (1891)
- Les époux d'Heur-le-Port (1921)
Novels and other works
- Les Lauriers sont coupés (The Bays are Sere) (1888)
- The Source of the Christian Tradition: A Critical History of Ancient Judaism (1911)
- Interior Monologue
- Mallarmé par un des siens
- Ancient History of the God Jesus
External links
- Dujardin Papers, Dujardin Photography Collection at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...