Marguerite Yourcenar

Date of Birth: June 8, 1903

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: December 17, 1987

Biography

Marguerite Yourcenar was a renowned French-Belgian novelist, essayist, and short story writer, best known for her historical novels and deep philosophical insights. Born on June 8, 1903, in Brussels, Belgium, she was originally named Marguerite Antoinette Jeanne Marie Ghislaine Cleenewerck de Crayencour. She adopted the pen name “Yourcenar,” an anagram of her surname, to mark her literary career. Yourcenar’s literary journey began with poetry and translations, but her breakthrough came with the novel “Memoirs of Hadrian” (1951), a fictionalized autobiography of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. This book was critically acclaimed for its historical accuracy and profound reflections on power, love, and mortality. Another notable work is “The Abyss” (1968), which delves into the intellectual and spiritual struggles of the Renaissance period. In 1980, Marguerite Yourcenar made history by becoming the first woman elected to the Académie Française, one of France’s most prestigious cultural institutions. Her works have been translated into numerous languages, and she remains a significant literary figure for her ability to blend historical narrative with philosophical inquiry.

5 Interesting Facts about Marguerite Yourcenar

1. Marguerite Yourcenar was fluent in several languages, including French, English, Italian, and Greek.

2. She spent a significant portion of her life in the United States, where she lived with her partner Grace Frick.

3. Yourcenar’s work “Memoirs of Hadrian” took her nearly a decade to complete, showcasing her dedication to historical accuracy and depth.

4. She was the first woman to be elected to the prestigious Académie Française, breaking a longstanding gender barrier in French literature.

5. Yourcenar was an avid traveler and drew inspiration from her extensive travels across Europe, Asia, and North America.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Marguerite Yourcenar

1. “The true birthplace is that wherein for the first time one looks intelligently upon oneself.”

2. “Life is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament.”

3. “One reads to understand the world, to understand oneself, and to understand others.”

4. “The mask, given time, comes to be the face itself.”

5. “Every silence is composed of nothing but words that have been set aside.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Marguerite Yourcenar’s net worth is not widely documented, but her literary legacy continues to be highly valued in the world of literature and academia.