Valéry, Paul Ambroise (1871-1945)

Valéry, Paul Ambroise (1871-1945)

French poet and critic, in his early career a protégé of Pierre Louÿs and at first influenced by the school of Symbolism. His interest later turned to philosophy, mathematics, science, and economics, and he professed himself to be attracted to poetry only as a mental exercise. Following Leonardo da Vince, whom he admired, he developed a kind of mathematical metaphysic to guide him in his thought and his art. Valéry is know for his personal aloofness, his emphasis on the importance of the intellectual classes in shaping and controlling society, and the precision, extreme condensation, and abstruseness of theme of his poetry, which was regarded by many contemporary critic as artificial and obscure.

His books of poetry include La Jeune Parque ( 1971), considered his best work; Odes ( 1920); L'Album des Vers ancienc ( 1920); Charmes ( 1922); Fragments du Narcisse ( 1922). Poésies ( 1923). He is generally best known for his series of literary and philosophical essays consisting of Variété ( 1924), Variété II ( 1930), Variété III ( 1936), and Variété II ( 1938), these were translated into English. Other works include L'ldíe Fixe ( 1934); Moralités ( 1932); Pièces sur l'Art ( 1936); Poésie et Pensée abstraite ( 1939) and La Politique de l'Esprit ( 1941), lectures.

Paul Valéry was elected to the French Academy in 1925, succeeding Anatole France, about whom he delivered a slighting address on his induction, although it was cutomary for the new member to laud his predecessor. Declaring that he was a businessman rather than a Bohemian. Valéry made a point of keeping his works inaccessible in order to increase their value, insisting that they be published only in limited and distinctive editions.