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Saint-Lambert, Jean Francois
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Jean François de Saint-Lambert | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 26 December 1716 |
| Died | 9 February 1803 (aged 86) |
| Title | Marquis de Saint-Lambert |
| Partner(s) | Émilie du Châtelet Sophie d'Houdetot |
| Children | Stanislas-Adélaïde du Châtelet (4 September 1749 — 6 May 1751) |
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"Often I am still listening when the song is over."
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Jean François de Saint-Lambert (French: [ʒɑ̃ fʁɑ̃swa də sɛ̃ lɑ̃bɛʁ]; 26 December 1716 – 9 February 1803) was a French poet, philosopher and military officer.
Biography
Saint-Lambert was born at Nancy and raised on his parents' estate at Affracourt, a village in Lorraine near Haroué, a seat of the Beauvau family, with whom he had close ties. He studied at the university at Pont-à-Mousson, but then spent several years at home recovering from an unidentified illness.[1] He often complained of poor health, but participated in military campaigns,[2] led a strenuous social life, and lived to be 86 years old.[citation needed]
Saint-Lambert began writing poetry in his adolescence and belonged to Françoise de Graffigny's social circle in Lunéville. By October 1733 he had already begun work on The Seasons, his major poetical work, which did not appear in print until 1769 (see 1769 in poetry).[3] All his life, he read his works in salons and to his friends, but did not rush to publish them.[citation needed]
In 1739, Saint-Lambert joined the Heudicourt regiment in the Lorraine Guards, in which his boyhood friend, Charles-Just, prince de Beauvau-Craon, was already a colonel, despite being only 19 years old. For much of the 1740s the two men fought side by side in the Italian campaigns of the War of the Austrian Succession.[citation needed]
Saint-Lambert spent the winter quarter in Lunéville in 1745–46, and according to François-Antoine Devaux, he became at that time the lover of the Marquise de Boufflers.[4] She was a sister of the prince de Beauvau, and the mistress of Stanislaus Leszczynski, who had been established in 1737 as duke of Lorraine.[citation needed]
Over the winter of 1747–48, Voltaire and his entourage took up residence in Lunéville. Saint-Lambert soon began a liaison with the great writer's mistress, Émilie du Châtelet.[5] She was in her forties, and had had many lovers, but succumbed to a mad passion for Saint-Lambert and became pregnant with their child. The baby, a girl named Stanislas-Adélaïde Du Châtelet, was born on 4 September 1749 in what at first seemed an easy delivery; but Émilie contracted a fever and died on 10 September. The infant died in Lunéville on 6 May 1751.[6]
Émilie was a brilliant and learned woman, known all over Europe for her translation of Newton. Her love affair and pregnancy created scandal and inspired satirical mirth; her death was a shock to everyone. Voltaire was shattered, and according to his friend Devaux, so was Saint-Lambert, who nonetheless moved to Paris around 1750 and to all appearances soon recovered from his grief.[7]
It was at this time that he gave himself the title Marquis de Saint-Lambert, to which he had no right; it was once claimed that he was not even of noble birth, but the evidence refuting that charge was published long ago.[8]
In 1752 he began the second of his two famous love affairs, with Sophie d'Houdetot. This relationship became noteworthy because in 1757, while Saint-Lambert was away on military duty in the Seven Years' War, Jean-Jacques Rousseau suddenly conceived a mad passion for Sophie, which he wrote about in his Confessions. In Rousseau's mind, she became identified with a character in the great novel he was then writing, Julie, ou la Nouvelle Héloïse. In the end, Sophie turned Rousseau away, saying that she loved Saint-Lambert.[9] She and Saint-Lambert remained together as a couple until his death in 1803, spending their last years in a cordial ménage à trois with her husband.[10]
Saint-Lambert resigned from the army in 1758 and devoted the rest of his life to literature. He wrote several articles for Diderot's Encyclopédie, published an essay on "Luxury" in 1764, brought out an edition of The Seasons with a selection of his other poetry and some short stories in 1769, and completed a multi-volume philosophical work in 1797–98, called Principe des mœurs chez toutes les nations ou Catéchisme universel (Principle of morals among all nations, or universal catechism).[11] He wrote the section on "Siam", and most likely also other parts of the first edition of Guillaume Thomas François Raynals L'Histoire philosophique et politique des établissements et du commerce des Européens dans les deux Indes.[12] He was elected to the Académie française in 1770.[citation needed]
He and Sophie outlived most of their contemporaries, however, and around 1800 members of a new generation wrote about them as relics of a legendary past. Count Louis-Mathieu Molé described the fabled lover as "a little old man dressed in a hideous cotton dressing gown with a pattern of blue stripes and red bouquets, a wispy cotton bonnet on his head, using a cane walking stick with a gold knob as tall as he was to support his wobbly steps."[13] Chateaubriand used the couple as symbols of a discredited era, when he wrote that they "both represented the opinions and the freedoms of a by-gone age, carefully stuffed and preserved: it was the eighteenth century expired and married in its manner. It was sufficient to remain steadfast in one's life for illegitimacies to become legitimacies."[14]
References
- Roger Poirier, Jean-François de Saint-Lambert, 1716–1803, Sarreguemines: Éditions Pierron, 2001, pp. 22–24.
- Poirier, pp. 75–87.
- J. A. Dainard, ed. Correspondance de Madame de Graffigny, Oxford: Voltaire Foundation, 1985-- (in progress), vol. 1, p. 7.
- J. A. Dainard, ed., Correspondance de Madame de Graffigny, vol. 8, pp. 156–57.
- The story of this affair figures prominently in all complete biographies of Voltaire. See for example René Vaillot, Avec Mme Du Châtelet, Oxford: Voltaire Foundation, 1988, pp. 355–99. For a study focussed on Saint-Lambert, and incorporating new information, see D. W. Smith, "Nouveaux regards sur la brève rencontre entre Mme Du Châtelet et Saint-Lambert." In The Enterprise of Enlightenment. A Tribute to David Williams from his friends. Ed. Terry Pratt and David McCallam. Oxford, Berne, etc.: Peter Lang, 2004, p. 329-343. See also Anne Soprani, ed., Mme Du Châtelet, Lettres d'amour au marquis de Saint-Lambert, Paris, 1997.
- See D. W. Smith, "Nouveaux regards".
- See D. W. Smith, "Nouveaux regards", and J. A. Dainard, ed., Correspondance de Madame de Graffigny, vol. 9.
- Georges Mangeot. Autour d'un foyer lorrain: la famille de Saint-Lambert (1596–1795). Paris: Croville-Morant et Nancy: Sidot, 1913.
- The story of this affair figures prominently in all complete biographies of Rousseau. The edition of Rousseau's Confessions by Bernard Gagnebin and Marcel Raymond, in the "Bibliothèque de la Pléiade" Œuvres complètes de Jean-Jacques Rousseau, vol. 1, Paris: Gallimard, 1964, provides a discussion and extensive notes about the incident, and the edition of Julie, ou la nouvelle Héloïse in the same series, vol. 2, ed. Henri Coulet and Bernard Guyon, Paris: Gallimard, 1964, provides similar background on Sophie's role in the composition of the novel.
- Poirier, Jean-François de Saint-Lambert, pp. 301–306.
- Kafker, Frank A.: Notices sur les auteurs des 17 volumes de « discours » de l'Encyclopédie (suite et fin). Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie Année (1990) Volume 8 Numéro 8 p. 115
- Jonathan I. Israel, Democratic Enlightenment, Oxford University Press, 2012, p. 421.
- "un petit vieillard habillé d’une vilaine robe de chambre de cotonnade rayée bleu sur bleu, parsemée de bouquets rouges, un bonnet de coton à mèche sur la tête et soutenant ses pas chancelants par une canne de jonc à pomme d’or aussi haute que lui." Count Molé, Souvenirs de jeunesse, 1793–1803, quoted by Jacques-Alain de Sédouy, Le comte Molé ou la séduction du pouvoir, Paris, 1994, pp. 44–45.
- François-René de Chateaubriand, Mémoires d'outre-tombe, ed. Edmond Biré, Paris: Garnier, 1899–1900, vol. 2; Part 2, Book 2; often reprinted.
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Jean-François de Saint-Lambert (1716–1803) stands as a significant figure in 18th century French poetry. As a French poet, philosopher, and mathematician, Saint-Lambert contributed to the rich literary and intellectual culture of his time. His works reflect the values and style of the Enlightenment, the cultural movement that shaped much of the 18th century in France. Understanding his poetry and life provides insight into French poetry during this period.
Saint-Lambert is often remembered for his graceful and elegant verse, blending classical influences with Enlightenment ideals. He engaged with other literary figures of the time and left a legacy that contributes to the study of French poetry. This article explores the life, works, and literary significance of this important 18th century French poet. It also compares his contributions to those of his contemporaries to offer a broader perspective.
Jean-François de Saint-Lambert
Jean-François de Saint-Lambert was born in Nancy, France, in 1716. He was raised in a noble family, which gave him access to a solid education. Early in life, he showed interest not only in poetry but also in philosophy and the sciences. This wide range of interests was typical of many Enlightenment thinkers, who sought to combine art and reason.
Saint-Lambert’s personal life was also intertwined with the literary world. He was part of important intellectual circles and was closely associated with prominent figures such as Madame de Tencin and Madame de Boufflers. His relationships and social standing allowed him to engage deeply with the cultural life of 18th century France.
Saint-Lambert’s Contribution to French Poetry
Style and Themes
Saint-Lambert’s poetry is characterized by its elegance, clarity, and refinement. Unlike the earlier Baroque poets, his work exhibits a more balanced and measured style, which was typical of the classical tradition revived during the 18th century. This style reflects the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason, order, and harmony.
His poetry often explores themes such as nature, love, and virtue. For example, in his famous poem Les Saisons (The Seasons), Saint-Lambert praises the beauty and order of nature. This poem combines descriptive imagery with philosophical reflection, a hallmark of much French poetry during this period.
Philosophical Influence
As a philosopher, Saint-Lambert’s poetry is influenced by Enlightenment ideas. His verses often promote the values of reason, balance, and progress. Unlike some poets who preferred emotional intensity, Saint-Lambert valued intellectual clarity and moral reflection. This places him firmly within the tradition of French poetry that seeks to educate as well as entertain.
His engagement with philosophy also shows in his contributions to discussions on aesthetics and the nature of poetry. He believed poetry should elevate the mind and cultivate virtue. This ideal aligned with the broader Enlightenment project of using art and literature to improve society.
Comparison with Contemporary 18th Century French Poets
Voltaire
Voltaire (1694–1778), one of the most famous 18th century French poets and philosophers, shared many intellectual ideals with Saint-Lambert. Both valued reason and clarity in their writing. However, Voltaire’s poetry and prose were often more satirical and critical of social and political institutions. In contrast, Saint-Lambert’s poetry tends to be more serene and reflective, focusing on personal and natural themes rather than sharp social critique.
Voltaire’s works had a broader political impact, while Saint-Lambert’s influence was more literary and philosophical. Together, their writings illustrate the diversity of French poetry in the 18th century, showing how poets adapted Enlightenment ideals in different ways.
Jean-Baptiste Rousseau and Other Poets
Another contemporary, Jean-Baptiste Rousseau (1670–1741), was known for his lyrical and often emotional poetry. Rousseau’s style was closer to the late Baroque and early Enlightenment traditions. Compared to Rousseau, Saint-Lambert’s work is more restrained and classical in tone.
Saint-Lambert’s poetry also contrasts with the works of other Enlightenment poets such as Évariste de Parny, who embraced more sentimental and exotic themes. Saint-Lambert remained more rooted in classical forms and philosophical reflection.
Influence of Classical Poetry
Like many 18th century French poets, Saint-Lambert drew inspiration from classical authors such as Horace and Virgil. His adherence to classical rules of poetry—such as balance, symmetry, and harmony—shows the strong influence of ancient literature on French poetry at this time. This classical influence was a major feature of French poetry in the 18th century, setting it apart from the more romantic and emotional trends that would develop later.
Saint-Lambert’s Role in the Enlightenment Literary Scene
Membership in the Académie Française
Jean-François de Saint-Lambert was elected to the Académie Française in 1770, a mark of his recognition and prestige in French literary society. The Académie Française was and still is a prestigious institution responsible for overseeing the French language and literature. Membership was reserved for the most respected writers, poets, and intellectuals of the time.
This honor confirmed Saint-Lambert’s status as a leading French poet of his era. It also positioned him among those who shaped French literary standards and influenced generations of poets.
Contribution to the Encyclopédie
Saint-Lambert contributed to the famous Encyclopédie, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert. This monumental work aimed to compile and disseminate Enlightenment knowledge. His participation highlights his commitment to the Enlightenment project of advancing knowledge and reason.
His involvement in the Encyclopédie connects his poetic work with broader intellectual movements, showing how poetry and philosophy were intertwined in 18th century French culture.
Legacy and Importance in French Poetry
Influence on Later Poets
Saint-Lambert’s poetry helped shape the transition from the classical to the more sentimental styles that appeared in late 18th century and early 19th century French poetry. While he maintained classical form and clarity, his emphasis on nature and emotion foreshadowed the Romantic movement.
Later poets looked back at Saint-Lambert’s works as an example of refined French poetry that balanced reason and feeling. His influence is often seen in poets who sought to harmonize intellectual reflection with poetic beauty.
Place in French Literary History
Though not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, Jean-François de Saint-Lambert holds an important place in the history of French poetry. His works are studied for their elegant style, philosophical depth, and reflection of Enlightenment values.
He represents a key moment in the evolution of French poetry, bridging the gap between classical tradition and the changing tastes of the late 18th century. For students and scholars of French poetry, Saint-Lambert offers valuable insights into the cultural and intellectual life of the 18th century.
Conclusion
Jean-François de Saint-Lambert is a notable 18th century French poet whose work exemplifies the spirit of the Enlightenment. His poetry reflects the balance, clarity, and reason prized in French poetry of his time, while also embracing themes of nature and moral reflection. By comparing him with contemporaries like Voltaire and Rousseau, we see the diversity and richness of 18th century French poetry.
His role as a member of the Académie Française and contributor to the Encyclopédie highlights his importance in the intellectual culture of his era. Although his name may not be as famous today as some other poets, his contributions remain essential for understanding French poetry and literature in the 18th century.
In sum, Jean-François de Saint-Lambert stands as an influential figure whose poetic legacy helps illuminate the connections between art, philosophy, and society during one of the most dynamic periods in French cultural history.
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Jean-François de Saint-Lambert — Notable Quotes
Jean-François, Marquis de Saint-Lambert (1716–1803) was a French poet, soldier, and Enlightenment figure known for his philosophical and scientific poetry. Here are some of his most celebrated quotes:
On Genius
“Genius: Range of mind, power of imagination, and responsiveness of soul: this is genius. The man of genius has a soul with greater range, can therefore be struck by the feelings of all beings, is concerned with everything in nature, and never receives an idea that does not evoke a feeling. Everything stirs him and everything is retained within him. When the soul has been moved by an object itself, it is even more affected by the memory of the object. But in a man of genius imagination goes further: it recalls ideas with a more vivid feeling than it received them, because to these ideas are connected a thousand others more appropriate to arouse the feeling.” Famous Quotes & Sayings+1
On Beauty and Use
“Le beau ne plait qu’un jour, si le beau n’est utile.”
“The beautiful pleases only one day, if the beautiful is not useful.” Dicocitations
On Human Nature and Morality
“L’homme qui se cherche dans tout, dit Bacon, se trouve dans ce qu’il aime.”
“The man who seeks himself in all, says Bacon, finds himself in what he loves.” Dicocitations
On Love and Self
“L’amour d’un sexe pour l’autre nous donne, pour ainsi dire, un autre amour de nous-même ; il transporte notre amour propre dans les autres.”
“Love of one sex for the other gives us, in a sense, another love of ourselves; it transports our own love into others.” Dicocitations
On Death and Mourning
“Ci-gît un vieil atrabilaire: après l’avoir fait enterrer, sa veuve, n’ayant rien à faire, prit le parti de le pleurer.”
“Here lies an old rascal: after having buried him, his widow, having nothing else to do, decided to mourn him.” Dicocitations
These quotes reflect Saint-Lambert’s blend of philosophical insight, humanistic sensibility, and wit, which were hallmarks of his work in the Saisons and other writings.
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