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Sully Prudhomme (1839–1907)

1901 Literature

In special recognition of his poetic composition, which gives evidence of lofty idealism, artistic perfection and a rare combination of the qualities of both heart and intellect.

René François Armand Prudhomme, better known by his literary pseudonym Sully Prudhomme, did not begin his career with the world of letters in mind. The son of a storekeeper, he intended to study science and enrolled in a polytechnic institute. An eye disease, however, forced him to change his plans. The disappointed young Frenchman soon turned to literature and took pleasure in the study, recording his thoughts and reading avidly. Nevertheless, Prudhomme was not able to make a living from his writing, so he accepted a clerical position in a factory. Understandably dissatisfied, he left the factory in 1860, determined to study law, and he soon began working in a lawyer’s office.

During this time he was a member of the distinguished student society “Conférence La Bruyère,” and it was here that Prudhomme heard the first words of encouragement for his literary pursuits. In 1865, at just 26, he published his first work, Stances et poèmes (Stanzas and Poems), a collection of fluent, melancholic poems inspired by a passionate dissatisfaction with life. Sainte-Beuve, a writer and influential French literary critic, gave the book a favorable review, which helped Prudhomme’s reputation. One of these early poems, “Le vase brisé” (“The Broken Vase”), remains popular today.

In 1866 Les Épreuves (Trials) was published and, three years, later came Les Solitudes. These works, similar in style and content to Stances et poèmes, are dominated by romanticism and emotionalism. It was not long, however, before this early lyrical phase of his writing evolved. This change is credited to the influence of the Parnassian school, of which he would go on to become a preeminent member. Presenting philosophical concepts in verse dominated Prudhomme’s latter poetical works, particularly La Justice (Justice, published in 1878) and Le Bonheur (Happiness, 1888).

Prudhomme’s literary career was characterized by intense activity, as can be seen by his vast bibliography. Besides his best-known works listed above, he wrote Croquis italiens (Italian Notebook, 1866-68), Impressions de la guerre (Impressions of War, 1870), Les Destins (Destinies, 1872), La Révolte des fleurs (Revolt of the Flowers, 1872), La France (1874), Les vaines tendresses (Vain Endearments, 1875) and many others.

In 1881, aged 42, Sully Prudhomme was elected a member of the prestigious French Academy, which demonstrated his peers’ respect and admiration for him. His highest level of recognition came when he was awarded the 1901 Nobel Prize in Literature.