Date of Birth: December 25, 1923
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: November 4, 2015
Biography
René Girard was a French historian, literary critic, and philosopher of social science, renowned for his pioneering work in the field of mimetic theory. Born on December 25, 1923, in Avignon, France, Girard’s intellectual journey took him through multiple disciplines, including history, anthropology, and literary criticism. He completed his education at the École Nationale des Chartes in Paris, where he specialized in medieval history. Girard’s academic career began in the United States, where he taught at several prestigious universities, including Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University, and Stanford University. His most influential work, “Deceit, Desire, and the Novel” (1961), introduced the concept of mimetic desire, which posits that human desires are imitative and that individuals often desire objects because others desire them. This theory was further elaborated in his subsequent books, such as “Violence and the Sacred” (1972) and “Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World” (1978). René Girard’s work was groundbreaking in its interdisciplinary approach, connecting literature, anthropology, and religious studies. He was elected to the prestigious Académie Française in 2005. Girard passed away on November 4, 2015, in Stanford, California, leaving behind a legacy of profound influence on modern thought.
5 Interesting Facts about Rene Girard
1. René Girard was elected to the Académie Française in 2005, a significant honor recognizing his contributions to French intellectual life.
2. His theory of mimetic desire has influenced a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and theology.
3. Girard’s concept of the scapegoat mechanism explores how societies often unite against a common enemy to resolve internal conflicts.
4. He was a professor at Stanford University from 1981 until his retirement in 1995.
5. Girard’s work has been translated into multiple languages, making his theories accessible to a global audience.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rene Girard
1. “We are never more creative than when we are at odds with one another.”
2. “The desire for the same object makes people become rivals, and rivalry leads to conflict.”
3. “All desires, whatever their object, must be regarded as metaphors.”
4. “Violence is the heart and secret soul of the sacred.”
5. “The scapegoat mechanism is the key to understanding the origin of human culture.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
René Girard’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, as his primary contributions were academic rather than financial.
Children
René Girard had three children: Martin Girard, Daniel Girard, and Mary Girard.
Relevant Links
2. [René Girard – Académie Française](http://www.academie-francaise.fr/les-immortels/rene-girard
3. [René Girard – Mimetic Theory Overview](https://www.imitatio.org/rene-girard/mimetic-theory.html
4. [René Girard – Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rene-Girard
