# Maurice Barrès

> French novelist (1862-1923)

**Wikidata**: [Q314957](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314957)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Barrès)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maurice-barres

## Summary
Maurice Barrès (1862–1923) was a French novelist, writer, and politician known for his influential role in French literature and nationalist thought. He is most notable for his literary works that explored themes of individualism, regionalism, and national identity, as well as his political engagement in promoting conservative and patriotic ideals in early 20th-century France.

## Biography
- Born: August 19, 1862, in Charmes-sur-Moselle, France
- Nationality: French
- Education: Studied at Lycée in Nancy, École Normale Supérieure (Paris)
- Known for: Literary works on individualism and national identity; political advocacy for French patriotism
- Employer(s): Ligue de la Patrie Française, Académie Française
- Field(s): Literature, politics, journalism

## Contributions
Maurice Barrès made significant contributions to French literature and political thought:
- **Literary Works**: Authored novels such as *Les Déracinés* (1897), which critiqued the detachment of French intellectuals from their regional roots.
- **Political Engagement**: Co-founded the Ligue de la Patrie Française in 1898, a nationalist organization promoting patriotic and conservative values.
- **Journalism**: Wrote for prominent publications, shaping public discourse on nationalism and cultural identity.
- **Académie Française**: Elected as a member in 1919, contributing to the cultural and intellectual leadership of France.

## FAQs

**What is Maurice Barrès known for?**  
Maurice Barrès is known for his novels, essays, and political activism that emphasized national identity, regionalism, and cultural rootedness. He was a key figure in shaping French conservative thought in the early 20th century.

**What were Maurice Barrès's major literary works?**  
His major literary works include *Les Déracinés* (1897), a novel critiquing intellectual detachment from national roots, and a series of autobiographical and philosophical novels that explored themes of self and nation.

**What political group did Maurice Barrès help found?**  
He co-founded the Ligue de la Patrie Française in 1898, a nationalist organization aimed at promoting patriotic and conservative values in French society.

**What role did Maurice Barrès play in the Académie Française?**  
He was elected to the Académie Française in 1919, where he contributed to the cultural and literary direction of France, reinforcing traditionalist and nationalist themes.

**What themes are central to Maurice Barrès's writing?**  
Central themes in his writing include individualism, national identity, regional attachment, and the spiritual and moral foundations of society.

## Why They Matter
Maurice Barrès significantly influenced French intellectual and political life by bridging literature and nationalism. His concept of "spiritual nationalism" and critique of cosmopolitan detachment shaped conservative thought in France. His works resonated with readers and policymakers alike, contributing to the ideological foundations of early 20th-century French identity. His influence extended to later thinkers and politicians, embedding his ideas in French cultural memory.

## Notable For
- Author of *Les Déracinés* (1897), a seminal novel critiquing intellectual alienation
- Co-founder of the Ligue de la Patrie Française (1898), a nationalist political group
- Elected member of the Académie Française (1919)
- Advocate of "spiritual nationalism" and regional identity
- Influential journalist and novelist exploring themes of self and nation
- Recipient of the Grand Prize for the Best Novels of the Half-Century (posthumously awarded)

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Maurice Barrès was born on August 19, 1862, in Charmes-sur-Moselle, France. He pursued his early education in Nancy and later attended the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he developed his intellectual foundation in literature and philosophy.

### Literary Career
Barrès began his career as a writer with a focus on the themes of individualism and national identity. His breakthrough work, *Les Déracinés* (1897), criticized the detachment of French intellectuals from their cultural and regional roots. This novel became a cornerstone of his literary legacy and influenced conservative thought in France. He also authored several autobiographical and philosophical novels that explored the inner life and national consciousness.

### Political Engagement
In 1898, Barrès co-founded the Ligue de la Patrie Française, a nationalist organization that promoted conservative and patriotic values. He used his platform to critique political cosmopolitanism and advocate for a return to regional and spiritual foundations. His political writings and speeches shaped public discourse and influenced French conservative movements.

### Journalism and Public Influence
Barrès was an active journalist, contributing to major French publications. His writings often appeared in nationalist and traditionalist outlets, where he promoted cultural rootedness and criticized liberal and secular trends. His essays reached a broad audience and helped define the intellectual climate of his time.

### Role in the Académie Française
Elected to the Académie Française in 1919, Barrès became a prominent cultural figure in France. His membership allowed him to influence literary and linguistic standards, reinforcing traditionalist values within the institution. He used this platform to advocate for the preservation of French cultural identity.

### Legacy and Influence
Maurice Barrès's legacy lies in his fusion of literature and nationalism, shaping conservative thought in early 20th-century France. His ideas on "spiritual nationalism" and cultural rootedness influenced later generations of thinkers and politicians. His novels and essays remain key texts in understanding French intellectual history and the evolution of nationalist ideology.

### Recognition and Awards
Posthumously, Barrès received recognition for his literary contributions, including the Grand Prize for the Best Novels of the Half-Century, highlighting his enduring impact on French literature and culture.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://gw.geneanet.org/fond33?lang=en&n=barres&p=maurice)
5. [Source](http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/2779/1/2779_856.pdf)
6. [Académie Française](https://www.academie-francaise.fr/les-immortels/maurice-barres?fauteuil=4&election=25-01-1906)
7. The Fine Art Archive
8. Library of the World's Best Literature
9. [Source](https://www.landrucimetieres.fr/spip/spip.php?article3505)
10. [Les "douze meilleurs romans français du demi-siècle". Le Monde. 1950](https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1950/05/29/les-douze-meilleurs-romans-francais-du-demi-siecle_2053863_1819218.html)
11. International Standard Name Identifier
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. CiNii Research
14. [Source](http://archives.vosges.fr/Portals/8/xNews/uploads/2017/3/27/Collection%20de%20lettres%20Maurice%20Barr%C3%A8s%20(1880-1937).pdf)
15. [Source](https://archives.yvelines.fr/rechercher/archives-en-ligne/correspondances-du-musee-departemental-maurice-denis/correspondances-du-musee-maurice-denis)
16. SNAC
17. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
18. filmportal.de
19. Sycomore
20. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
21. Roglo
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index2.html)
24. La France savante
25. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
26. Enciclopedia Treccani
27. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)
28. LIBRIS. 2018
29. EcriVosges
30. Dizionario di Storia
31. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
32. Provenio
33. Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno
34. Catalogo of the National Library of India