Literature: 1901

Sully Prudhomme, pronounced soo LEE proo DAWM (1839-1907), a French poet, won the first Nobel Prize for literature in 1901. He wrote several collections of poetry from 1865 to 1888, to considerable acclaim. His poetry can be divided into two periods. His earlier verse is lyrical and melancholy. Poems from this period include "The Broken Vase," his best-known poem, from Stances et poemes (1865), and "The Swan" from Les Solitudes (1869). His second period reflects philosophical and scientific concerns, and many critics considered these poems less successful. His later works include La Justice (1878) and Le Bonheur (1888).

Sully Prudhomme was born in Paris. His real name was Rene Francois Armand Prudhomme. He studied law, philosophy, and science, but decided to become a poet.

Contributor: Jean-Pierre Cauvin, Ph.D., Professor of French, University of Texas.

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