Lucien-Anatole Prévost-Paradol

Lucien-Anatole Prévost-Paradol studied at École Normale Supérieure. The recorded working language is French. The field of work recorded is journalism and diplomacy. Positions recorded include ambassador of France to the United States and seat 37 of the Académie française. Distinctions recorded are Concours général.

• Name — Lucien-Anatole Prévost-Paradol • Born — 8 August 1829 • Birthplace — Paris, Kingdom of France • Died — 20 July 1870 • Place of death — Washington, D.C., United States • Education — École Normale • Father — Léon Halévy • Relatives — Ludovic Halévy (half-brother) Élie Halévy (paternal grandfather) Fromental Halévy (paternal uncle) Élie Halévy (nephew) Daniel Halévy (nephew)

Prévost-Paradol was born in Paris, France, conceived through an irregular liaison between the opera singer Lucinde Paradol and the writer Léon Halévy. When Halévy later married Alexandrine Le Bas, his wife agreed to adopt the child, who was then brought up with their own children.

Prévost-Paradol was educated at the College Bourbon and entered the École Normale. In 1855, he was appointed professor of French literature at Aix. He held the post barely a year, resigning it to become a leader-writer on the Journal des débats. He also wrote in the Courrier du dimanche, and for a very short time in the Presse. His chief works are Essais de politique et de littérature (three series, 1859–1866), and Essais sur les moralistes français (1864). He was, however, rather a journalist than a writer of books, and was one of the chief opponents of the empire on the side of moderate liberalism. He underwent the usual difficulties of a journalist under that regime, and was once imprisoned. In 1865, he was elected to the Académie française. August Strindberg referred to him in his novel The Growth of a Soul:

He committed suicide in Washington, D.C. by gunshot. He shot himself on 11 July 1870, and died nine days later, on account of the Franco-Prussian War while serving as French ambassador to the United States.

He also worked under the name Lucien Sorel. The authorities additionally record the headings Lucien-Anatole Prevost-Paradol and Lucien Anatole Prévost-Paradol. His recorded language was French. He was the child of Léon Halévy and Lucinde Paradol.