The foundation of La Nouvelle Revue Française in 1908 marked the beginning of a transformative career for Gaston Gallimard. Operating from Paris, he shaped the trajectory of twentieth-century French literature through his roles as a translator and publisher, establishing a legacy that persisted until his death in 1975.
Early Development and Education
Born in 1881 within the 9th arrondissement of Paris, Gallimard received his formal education at the Lycée Condorcet. He continued his academic studies at the École Libre des Sciences Politiques, providing him with a foundation for his subsequent professional engagements in the publishing industry.
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In 1908, Gallimard collaborated with André Gide and Jean Schlumberger to launch La Nouvelle Revue Française. This partnership formalized in 1911 with the establishment of the journal. In 1919, he founded his own entity, Librairie Gallimard, which became a prominent publishing house. Throughout these years, he maintained a close professional relationship with the editorial team at his original revue.
Media Ventures and Wartime Context
During the German occupation of Paris, he participated in a series of round-table discussions held at the Georges V Hotel. Attendees at these meetings included writers such as Jean Cocteau, Paul Morand, Henry Millon de Montherlant, and Ernst Jünger, alongside legal scholar Carl Schmitt.
Professional Contributions
Beyond his executive duties as a publisher, Gallimard engaged in translation and archival documentation. He translated the five-act tragedy Judith and maintained significant correspondences with figures such as Jacques Rivière, Marcel Proust, and Jean Paulhan. He served as a member of the comité de lecture des éditions Gallimard, influencing the selection of texts for his firm.
Fast facts
- Born: 1881, 9th arrondissement of Paris
- Died: 1975, Neuilly-sur-Seine
- Citizenship: France
- Primary Occupation: Publisher
- Education: Lycée Condorcet, École Libre des Sciences Politiques
- Key Publication Founded: La Nouvelle Revue Française
- Magazine Founded: Marianne (1932)
- Languages: French
Questions readers ask
What publishing house did Gaston Gallimard create?
He established Librairie Gallimard in 1919.
Which notable figures did he collaborate with in 1908?
He co-founded La Nouvelle Revue Française with André Gide and Jean Schlumberger.