French Philosopher. Born Émile-auguste Chartier in Mortagne, France, he entered lycée d'Alençon in 1881 and studied there for five years he then taught at lycées in a number of towns, including Rouen where he became involved in politics and began contributing a daily article to a radical newspaper. The articles attracted attention and they were collected and published in a 1908 work that came to be regarded as a classic. He contributed to several journals using his pseudonym, Alain. In defiance of public opinion, he denounced World War I, but upon its outbreak, he enlisted in the artillery. Refusing promotion, he spent the war in the ranks; and it was in the front line or in battery dugouts that he wrote Mars; or, The Truth About War, (1921; translated to English, 1930). After the war, he esumed his post at the Lycée Henri Quatre. His publications over the ensuing years included Les Idées et les âges (1927), Entretiens au bord de la mer (1931), Idées (1932), Les Dieux (1934), Histoire de mes pensées (1936), and Les Aventures de coeur (1945). With failing health, he retired from the Lycée Henri Quatre and was often visited at his home by students. In 1951 he was the first recipient of the Grand Prix National de Littérature; it was the only honor that he accepted in his lifetime.
French Philosopher. Born Émile-auguste Chartier in Mortagne, France, he entered lycée d'Alençon in 1881 and studied there for five years he then taught at lycées in a number of towns, including Rouen where he became involved in politics and began contributing a daily article to a radical newspaper. The articles attracted attention and they were collected and published in a 1908 work that came to be regarded as a classic. He contributed to several journals using his pseudonym, Alain. In defiance of public opinion, he denounced World War I, but upon its outbreak, he enlisted in the artillery. Refusing promotion, he spent the war in the ranks; and it was in the front line or in battery dugouts that he wrote Mars; or, The Truth About War, (1921; translated to English, 1930). After the war, he esumed his post at the Lycée Henri Quatre. His publications over the ensuing years included Les Idées et les âges (1927), Entretiens au bord de la mer (1931), Idées (1932), Les Dieux (1934), Histoire de mes pensées (1936), and Les Aventures de coeur (1945). With failing health, he retired from the Lycée Henri Quatre and was often visited at his home by students. In 1951 he was the first recipient of the Grand Prix National de Littérature; it was the only honor that he accepted in his lifetime.
Bio by: Iola
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