Edgar Quinet

Date of Birth: February 17, 1803

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: March 27, 1875

Biography

Edgar Quinet was a renowned French historian, intellectual, and writer, born on February 17, 1803, in Bourg-en-Bresse, France. A prominent figure in the 19th-century intellectual landscape, Quinet is best known for his works on history, religion, and politics. He studied at the University of Paris, where he was deeply influenced by the Romantic movement and the ideas of German philosophers like Herder and Hegel. Quinet’s early works focused on the history of Christianity and the role of religion in society. In 1838, he became a professor at the Collège de France, where he lectured on the history of literature and the philosophy of history. His outspoken views and controversial stance on the role of the Catholic Church in French society often put him at odds with the authorities. Quinet was also an active participant in the political upheavals of his time, including the Revolution of 1848 and the establishment of the Second Republic. Quinet’s magnum opus, “La Révolution,” published in 1865, is a comprehensive history of the French Revolution, reflecting his deep commitment to republican ideals. After the coup d’état of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte in 1851, Quinet went into exile in Belgium and later Switzerland, only returning to France after the fall of the Second Empire in 1870. He continued to write and engage in political and intellectual debates until his death on March 27, 1875, in Versailles, France.

5 Interesting Facts about Edgar Quinet

1. Edgar Quinet was a vocal critic of the Catholic Church and its influence on French politics, which led to his exile.

2. He was a contemporary and friend of the poet and fellow intellectual, Alphonse de Lamartine.

3. Quinet translated German philosopher Herder’s work into French, which had a significant impact on French Romanticism.

4. His lectures at the Collège de France frequently drew large audiences and were highly influential.

5. Quinet was an advocate for the principles of the French Revolution and republicanism throughout his life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edgar Quinet

1. “History is the true teacher of how to live.”

2. “A nation is a society united by a delusion about its ancestry and a common fear of its neighbors.”

3. “To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.”

4. “The true progress is spiritual, for the material is only a reflection.”

5. “Every revolution begins in the mind.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no detailed record of Edgar Quinet’s net worth, as he lived in the 19th century and financial records from that time are not comprehensively documented. However, his wealth was modest, primarily derived from his academic and literary work.

Children

Edgar Quinet had one daughter, Mina Quinet, with his first wife Minna Moré. Mina Quinet was known to have been very close to her father, especially during his years of exile.