# Marguerite Durand

> French actress and journalist, editor (1864–1936)

**Wikidata**: [Q291239](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q291239)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marguerite_Durand)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/marguerite-durand

## Summary
Marguerite Durand was a French actress, journalist, and editor renowned for her advocacy of women's rights. Born in 1864, she founded the Bibliothèque Marguerite-Durand, a specialized library in Paris, and played a pivotal role in the suffrage movement. Her multifaceted career spanned theater, journalism, and activism, leaving a lasting impact on French society.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 24, 1864
- **Nationality**: French
- **Education**: Conservatoire de Paris
- **Known for**: Advocacy for women's rights, founding the Bibliothèque Marguerite-Durand
- **Employer(s)**: Le Figaro
- **Field(s)**: Theater, journalism, librarianship, women's suffrage

## Contributions
- **Founded Bibliothèque Marguerite-Durand (1932)**: A specialized public library in Paris focused on feminist history and women's rights, serving as a resource for activists and researchers.
- **Acting Career**: Performed as a stage actor, notably at the Conservatoire de Paris, before transitioning to journalism.
- **Journalistic Work**: Contributed to *Le Figaro*, a prominent French daily newspaper, leveraging her platform to advocate for social change.
- **Women's Rights Activism**: Played a key role in the suffrage movement, distinguishing herself as a suffragette and women's rights activist in early 20th-century France.

## FAQs
**What were Marguerite Durand's primary occupations?**  
She was a multifaceted professional, working as an actress, journalist, editor, and librarian, with a focus on women's rights advocacy.

**Where did Marguerite Durand work?**  
Notable affiliations include the Conservatoire de Paris for her acting training and *Le Figaro* as a journalist. She also founded the Bibliothèque Marguerite-Durand in Paris.

**What is Marguerite Durand's legacy?**  
Her legacy is marked by the establishment of a pioneering library on feminist history and her active role in advancing women's suffrage and rights in France.

**How did Marguerite Durand contribute to journalism?**  
Through her work at *Le Figaro*, she combined journalistic practice with advocacy, using her platform to highlight women's issues and drive social discourse.

## Why They Matter
Marguerite Durand's significance lies in her dual impact on cultural and political spheres. As a journalist and actress, she challenged gender norms in male-dominated fields, while her activism and the founding of the Bibliothèque Marguerite-Durand provided critical resources for the women's movement. Her work bridged artistic expression with political advocacy, inspiring future generations of feminists and ensuring the preservation of women's history. Without her efforts, the trajectory of women's rights in France and the accessibility of feminist scholarship might have been significantly delayed.

## Notable For
- **Founding the Bibliothèque Marguerite-Durand (1932)**: A landmark institution for feminist studies.
- **Early 20th-Century Suffragette**: Key figure in the fight for women's voting rights in France.
- **Multifaceted Career**: Successfully navigated acting, journalism, and librarianship, using each platform for advocacy.
- **Affiliation with *Le Figaro***: Contributed to one of France's most influential newspapers, amplifying women's voices.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Marguerite Charlotte Durand was born on January 24, 1864. She pursued her education at the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris, a formative institution for her acting career.

### Career
- **Theater and Acting**: Durand began her career as a stage actor, trained at the Conservatoire de Paris, before transitioning to journalism.
- **Journalism and Advocacy**: She joined *Le Figaro*, where she merged her journalistic work with activism, advocating for women's rights through her writing.
- **Librarianship**: In 1932, she founded the Bibliothèque Marguerite-Durand, a specialized library in Paris dedicated to feminist history and women's rights. This institution became a cornerstone for research and activism, housing extensive collections on gender equality and suffrage movements.

### Activism and Legacy
Durand's activism extended beyond journalism. As a suffragette, she campaigned for women's right to vote, contributing to the broader struggle for gender equality in France. Her library ensured the preservation and accessibility of feminist literature, supporting ongoing advocacy efforts. Her multifaceted contributions—as an actress, journalist, editor, and librarian—cemented her role as a pioneering figure in French feminism.

### Affiliations and Connections
- **Conservatoire de Paris**: Her educational background in the arts.
- **Le Figaro**: Her journalistic platform for advocacy.
- **Bibliothèque Marguerite-Durand**: Her enduring legacy, connecting her name to feminist scholarship.

### Historical Context
Active during a transformative period for women's rights, Durand navigated the challenges of early 20th-century France, where women faced significant societal and political barriers. Her work reflects the intersection of cultural engagement and political activism characteristic of the era's feminist movements.

### Impact and Influence
Durand's establishment of the Bibliothèque Marguerite-Durand institutionalized feminist knowledge, providing resources that supported subsequent waves of activism. Her career trajectory—from acting to journalism to librarianship—demonstrates her adaptability and commitment to advancing women's roles in public life. Her legacy continues to inspire researchers, activists, and artists, ensuring her contributions remain relevant in contemporary discourse on gender equality.

## References

1. birth certificate
2. [WeChangEd](https://www.wechanged.ugent.be/wechanged-database/)
3. death certificate
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. BnF authorities
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. CiNii Research
8. FemBio database
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013