Alfred-Victor, Count de Vigny (1797–1863) was a French poet, novelist, and playwright, among the most philosophical figures of the Romantic movement. His works explored stoicism, individualism, and human struggles, influencing French literature and modern thought.
Born in Loches, France, Vigny came from an aristocratic family that suffered losses during the French Revolution. Initially pursuing a military career, he joined the Maison du Roi (King’s Guard) in 1814 but soon turned to literature, publishing Le Bal (1820.)
His major works include Poèmes antiques et modernes (1826, Ancient and Modern Poems,) a collection of historical and philosophical poetry; Cinq-Mars (1826, Cinq-Mars,) a historical novel on political intrigue in Louis XIII’s court; Stello (1832, Stello,) examining poets’ fate in society; and Chatterton (1835, Chatterton,) a play depicting the tragic life of poet Thomas Chatterton. His final work, Les Destinées (1864, Destinies,) reflects on human suffering and fate.
Elected to the Académie Française (1845,) Vigny spent his later years in seclusion, focusing on philosophical reflection.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Alfred-Victor, count de Vigny
An army is a nation within a nation, it is one of the vices of courage.
—Alfred-Victor, count de Vigny
Topics: Army
Art ought never to be considered except in its relations with its ideal beauty.
—Alfred-Victor, count de Vigny
The army is a good book in which to study human life.—One learns there to put his hand to everything.—The most delicate and rich are forced to see poverty and live with it; to understand distress; and to know how rapid and great are the revolutions and changes of life.
—Alfred-Victor, count de Vigny
Topics: Army
Greatness is the dream of youth realized in old age.
—Alfred-Victor, count de Vigny
Topics: Greatness
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