The career of Jean Paulhan, born in Nîmes in 1884, spanned decades of French literary evolution as a critic, editor, and publisher. His influence on the intellectual landscape in France was solidified through his long-standing leadership at the Nouvelle Revue française, where he steered the publication through volatile political shifts, occupation, and the post-war reconstruction of culture.
Early Career and Literary Origins
Paulhan spent two years from 1908 to 1910 working as a teacher in Madagascar. During this period, he focused on the translation of Malagasy poems, known as Hainteny. These works drew the attention of literary figures including Guillaume Apollinaire and Paul Éluard. Upon his return to France, he joined the editorial staff of the Nouvelle Revue française as secretary to Jacques Rivière, eventually assuming the role of editor in 1925.
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Throughout his tenure at the Nouvelle Revue française, Paulhan managed complex institutional changes, including the launch of the journal Mesures in 1935 alongside collaborators like Henri Michaux and Giuseppe Ungaretti. When Germany occupied France during the Second World War, he resigned his position as director rather than collaborate with the authorities. During the conflict, he was an active participant in the French Resistance and suffered arrest by the Gestapo.
Literary Theory and Intellectual Engagement
Paulhan explored the nature of language and fiction in his 1936 work, The Flowers of Tarbes, or Terror in Literature. His critical inquiries extended to poetry and the ethics of writing, notably in his 1945 study Clef de la poésie. He maintained close associations with artists, authoring monographs such as Braque le Patron and Fautrier l'Enragé, while supporting the literary output of figures like Anne Desclos, who wrote the Story of O as a series of letters addressed to him.
Post-war Activity and Late Life
Following the war, he founded the Cahiers de la Pléiade and relaunched the Nouvelle Revue française in 1953. His later life was marked by his election to the Académie française in 1963, occupying seat 6 until his death in 1968. He remained active in public discourse, though he faced controversy for his support of the French military during the Algerian War, a position that caused a significant rift with his friend Maurice Blanchot.
Fast facts
- Born: 1884, Nîmes
- Died: 1968, Paris
- Primary occupations: Writer, editor, literary critic
- Académie française seat: 6 (1963-1968)
- Notable awards: Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, Resistance Medal, Croix de guerre 1914–1918
- Burial site: Cimetière parisien de Bagneux
Questions readers ask
What was Paulhan's connection to the Story of O?
The author Anne Desclos revealed that she wrote the novel as a series of love letters to Paulhan, who held a documented interest in the works of the Marquis de Sade.
What was his role during the Second World War?
He resigned his directorship of the Nouvelle Revue française to avoid collaborating with occupying forces and served as an active member of the French Resistance, leading to his arrest by the Gestapo.
Achievements
- Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour
- Resistance Medal
