Adélaïde-Gillette Dufrenoy (1765–1825,) née Billet, was a French poet, painter, and novelist known for her elegiac poetry and literary contributions during the Napoleonic era. Her works, exploring themes of melancholy, exile, and romanticism, earned her recognition in French literary circles.
Born in Nantes, France, Dufrenoy received a refined education, learning Latin and translating Horace and Virgil. She married Simon Petit-Dufrenoy, a wealthy prosecutor, and their home became a gathering place for poets and intellectuals. Her literary career began in 1787 with Boutade, to a Friend, followed by contributions to Almanach des Muses.
Dufrenoy’s life was marked by hardships, including financial struggles and exile in Alexandria, where she supported her blind husband. Despite challenges, she continued writing, producing elegiac poetry infused with sorrow and resilience. Her most acclaimed works include Élégies (1807,) L’Amour exilé des Cieux (1788, Love Exiled from the Skies,) a theatrical play, and Poésies de Madame Dufrenoy (1812.) She also wrote children’s books, translated English novels, and edited literary journals such as La Minerve Littéraire and L’Almanach des Dames.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Adelaide Dufrenoy
Women are happier in their illusions than in their most agreeable experi-ences.
—Adelaide Dufrenoy
Topics: Illusion
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