# Alphonse de Lamartine

> French author, poet and statesman (1790-1869)

**Wikidata**: [Q188697](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q188697)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphonse_de_Lamartine)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alphonse-de-lamartine

## Summary

Alphonse de Lamartine was born on October 21, 1790, in Mâcon.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] He held citizenship of France.[11] His occupations included politician, poet, diplomat, writer, historian, and autobiographer.[12][2][10][7][8][13] He was associated with Romanticism.His genres included poetry.[11] Notable works include Graziella, Voyage en Orient, Poetical Meditations, The Death of Socrates, Harmonies poetiques et religieuses, and Le Vallon.[14] His awards include Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Joseph and Knight of the Legion of Honour.[15]He held seat 7 of the Académie française from 1829 to 1869.[16] He served as a member of the French National Assembly in 1833–1837, 1837–1848, and 1848–1849.[16] He was a member of the Académie Française and Académie de Mâcon.[16][17]His religion was Catholicism.[18] His children were Alphonse de Lamartine and Julia de Lamartine.[10] He died on February 28, 1869, in Paris.[2][3][5][6][7][8][11][9][19][12]

## Summary
Alphonse de Lamartine was a French author, poet, and statesman (1790-1869) who served as Foreign Minister of France and is best known for his lyrical poetry and the novel "Graziella." His work significantly influenced French Romantic literature and his political career positioned him as a key figure in 19th-century French diplomacy.

## Biography
- Born: October 21, 1790
- Nationality: France
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: French Romantic poet, novelist, and statesman who served as Foreign Minister
- Employer(s): French government (as Foreign Minister), Académie Française
- Field(s): Literature (poetry, prose), politics, diplomacy

## Contributions
- Published the novel "Graziella," a significant work in French Romantic literature
- Authored the poem "Le Lac," one of his most famous lyrical works
- Served as Foreign Minister of France, representing the country in diplomatic affairs
- Became a member of the Académie Française, the pre-eminent council for the French language
- Received the Knight of the Legion of Honour, recognizing his contributions to France
- Authored numerous literary works including poetry collections and prose writings that shaped French Romanticism

## FAQs
**What were Alphonse de Lamartine's most famous literary works?**
Alphonse de Lamartine is best known for his novel "Graziella" and the poem "Le Lac," both of which are considered significant contributions to French Romantic literature. His works often explored themes of love, nature, and emotional expression.

**What political positions did Alphonse de Lamartine hold?**
Alphonse de Lamartine served as Foreign Minister of France, representing the country in diplomatic affairs. His political career positioned him as a key figure in 19th-century French politics and diplomacy.

**When was Alphonse de Lamartine born and when did he die?**
Alphonse de Lamartine was born on October 21, 1790, and died on February 28, 1869, living to be 78 years old.

**What recognition did Alphonse de Lamartine receive for his work?**
Alphonse de Lamartine was honored as a Knight of the Legion of Honour and became a member of the Académie Française, the pre-eminent council for the French language, recognizing his significant contributions to French literature and culture.

**Was Alphonse de Lamartine involved in any significant historical events?**
As Foreign Minister of France, Alphonse de Lamartine was involved in diplomatic affairs during a crucial period in French history. His political activities positioned him as a key figure in 19th-century French politics and diplomacy.

## Why They Matter
Alphonse de Lamartine matters as a pivotal figure in both French literature and politics. As a poet, he helped shape French Romanticism with his emotionally charged works like "Le Lac" and "Graziella," which continue to influence literary expression. Politically, his service as Foreign Minister placed him at the center of French diplomacy during a transformative period in European history. His dual legacy as both artist and statesman demonstrates the intersection of culture and governance in 19th-century France, making him a symbol of the era's intellectual and political currents.

## Notable For
- Knight of the Legion of Honour, recognizing his contributions to France
- Member of the Académie Française, the pre-eminent council for the French language
- Foreign Minister of France, serving in diplomatic capacity
- Author of "Graziella," a significant novel in French Romantic literature
- Creator of "Le Lac," one of the most famous poems in French literature
- French author, poet, and statesman who bridged literary and political spheres

## Body
### Early Life
Alphonse de Lamartine was born on October 21, 1790, in France. His full name was Alphonse Marie Louis de Prat de Lamartine. He lived during a tumultuous period in French history that included the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, which likely influenced his later literary and political perspectives.

### Literary Career
Lamartine established himself as a prominent figure in French Romantic literature. His most famous works include the novel "Graziella" and the poem "Le Lac." These works exemplify the Romantic emphasis on emotion, nature, and personal experience. His poetry collections and prose writings contributed significantly to the development of French Romanticism, influencing subsequent generations of writers. His lyrical style and exploration of themes like love and melancholy set him apart as a distinctive voice in 19th-century French literature.

### Political Career
Beyond his literary achievements, Lamartine pursued a significant political career. He served as Foreign Minister of France, representing the country in diplomatic affairs. This position placed him at the center of French foreign policy during a critical period in European history. His political activities demonstrated his commitment to public service and his belief in the intersection of culture and governance. His dual roles as both artist and statesman made him a unique figure in 19th-century French society.

### Recognition and Honors
Lamartine received several honors during his lifetime. He was awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour, recognizing his contributions to France. More significantly, he was elected to the Académie Française, the pre-eminent council for the French language. This membership represented the highest recognition of his literary achievements and his contribution to French culture. These honors underscored his status as one of the most respected figures in both French literature and politics during his era.

### Personal Life
Alphonse de Lamartine passed away on February 28, 1869, at the age of 78. His life spanned nearly eight decades, during which he witnessed significant transformations in French society and politics. His legacy continues to be remembered through his literary works, which remain part of the French canon, and his contributions to French political life during a formative period in the nation's history.

## References

1. Source
2. Concise Literary Encyclopedia
3. Archivio Storico Ricordi
4. general catalog of BnF
5. Integrated Authority File
6. [death certificate](https://archives.paris.fr/arkotheque/visionneuse/visionneuse.php?arko=YTo2OntzOjQ6ImRhdGUiO3M6MTA6IjIwMjItMDUtMzEiO3M6MTA6InR5cGVfZm9uZHMiO3M6MTE6ImFya29fc2VyaWVsIjtzOjQ6InJlZjEiO2k6NDtzOjQ6InJlZjIiO2k6MjA5Mzk1O3M6MTY6InZpc2lvbm5ldXNlX2h0bWwiO2I6MTtzOjIxOiJ2aXNpb25uZXVzZV9odG1sX21vZGUiO3M6NDoicHJvZCI7fQ==#uielem_move=0%2C0&uielem_rotate=F&uielem_islocked=0&uielem_zoom=62)
7. BnF authorities
8. [Académie Française](https://www.academie-francaise.fr/les-immortels/alphonse-de-lamartine?fauteuil=7&election=05-11-1829)
9. The Fine Art Archive
10. Library of the World's Best Literature
11. Historical Dictionary of Switzerland
12. [Source](http://www2.culture.gouv.fr/LH/LH094/PG/FRDAFAN83_OL1454070V001.htm)
13. International Standard Name Identifier
14. CiNii Research
15. MusicBrainz
16. [Source](http://www.academiedemacon.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/filliation-fauteuils.pdf)
17. [Source](https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/182bpaap_cle811915__papiers_alphonse_de_lamartine.pdf)
18. Alphonse, Marie, Louis De Lamartine. Sycomore
19. [Alphonse Marie Louis Prat de Lamartine. Léonore database](http://www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/leonore_fr?ACTION=CHERCHER&FIELD_1=COTE&VALUE_1=LH/2220/73)
20. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
21. SNAC
22. Alphonse de Prat de, Alphonse Marie Louis Lamartine. La France savante
23. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
24. [Source](https://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Graziella/Chapitre_4)
25. Virtual International Authority File
26. Dictionnaire historique des académiciens de Lyon
27. Sycomore
28. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Lamartine%20Alphonse%20de)
29. [Source](http://feb-web.ru/feb/kle/kle-abc/ke4/ke4-0211.htm)
30. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index10.html)
31. CONOR.SI
32. La France savante
33. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
34. Enciclopedia Treccani
35. The Movie Database
36. LIBRIS. 2012
37. [Graziella by A. de Lamartine](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/87618-onbekend-graziella-by-a.-de-lamartine)
38. Dizionario di Storia
39. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/lamartine-alphonse-de)
40. CollectieGelderland
41. Price One Penny
42. HMML Authority File
43. Catalogo of the National Library of India