The publication of Manon Lescaut in 1731 cemented the legacy of Antoine François Prévost, a French author whose career spanned journalism, historiography, and religious service. Beyond his most famous romance, his output included numerous novels, extensive translations of English literature, and a massive multi-volume chronicle of international travel, marking him as a pivotal figure in eighteenth-century European letters.
Early Ecclesiastical and Military Life
Born in 1697 in Hesdin, Prévost faced early personal loss with the deaths of his mother and sister. After education at the Jesuit school in Hesdin and the college at La Flèche, he entered the Jesuit order in 1713. His path proved erratic; he abandoned the order for military service, returned to civilian life, and eventually sought refuge with the Benedictines of St Maur. He took vows at Jumièges in 1721 and was ordained as a priest at St Germer de Flaix in 1726. Despite his theological duties, he remained restless, eventually fleeing to England in 1728 after attempting to transfer to the Cluny order without permission.
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During his exile in London and subsequent stays in the Netherlands, Prévost immersed himself in English history and culture. This period saw the creation of his early works, including Mémoires et aventures d'un homme de qualité. While in the Hague, he authored Le Philosophe anglais and finalized the seventh volume of his memoirs, which contained the original publication of Manon Lescaut. This novel became an immediate success, though it faced official censorship in France.
Journalism and Later Years
Prévost engaged in journalism by editing the weekly gazette Le Pour et contre between 1733 and 1740, modeled after The Spectator. After a reconciliation with the Benedictines in 1734, he held the position of almoner to the Prince de Conti and later secured the priory of St Georges de Gesnes in 1754. His final decades were devoted to translations of authors like Samuel Richardson and the completion of Histoire générale des voyages. He died in 1763 near Courteuil due to the rupture of an aneurysm.
Fast facts
- Born: 1697, Hesdin, France
- Died: 1763, Courteuil, France
- Primary Occupations: Writer, priest, translator, journalist
- Famous Work: Manon Lescaut (1731)
- Journalistic Work: Le Pour et contre (1733–1740)
- Education: Prytanée National Militaire
- Languages: French, English, Latin
Questions readers ask
What is Antoine François Prévost's most significant contribution to literature?
He is best remembered for his 1731 novel Manon Lescaut, which stands as the most reprinted novel in French literary history.
Did Prévost hold a permanent position within the church?
He led a varied life as a monk and priest, though he often moved between houses, sought transfers, and spent years working as a secular writer and royal almoner.
