André Theuriet

Claude Adhémar André Theuriet was a 19th-century French poet and novelist.

Life

Theuriet was born at Marly-le-Roi, and was educated at Bar-le-Duc in his mother's province of Lorraine.
Theuriet studied law in Paris and joined the public service, attaining the rank of chef de bureau, before his retirement during 1886. He published the Chemin des bois, a volume of poems, many of which had been published already in the Revue des Deux Mondes in 1867; Le bleu et le noir, poèmes de la vie réelle, Nos oiseaux, and other volumes followed.
M. Theuriet gives natural, simple description of rustic and especially of woodland life, and Théophile Gautier compared him to Shakespeare's Jaques of the forest of Arden. The best of his novels are those that deal with provincial and country life. Composer Jeanne Rivet used his text for her song “Ballade Bretonne.”
Theuriet received the prix Vitet from the Académie Française in 1890, of which he became a member during 1896. He died on 23 April 1907, and was succeeded at the academy by Jean Richepin.
He was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur during 1879, and was made an Officier de la Légion d'honneur during 1895.
His grandson André Theuriet became a versatile sportsman mostly known as an international rugby union player and swimmer.