The "Mercure de France" was a French gazette and literary magazine first published from 1672 to 1724 (with an interruption in 1674-1677) under the title "Mercure galant" (sometimes spelled "Mercure gallant") (1672-1674) and "Nouveau Mercure galant" (1677-1724). The title was changed to "Mercure de France" in 1724. The gazette was briefly suppressed from 1811 to 1815 and ceased publication in 1825. The name was revived in 1890 for both a literary review and (in 1894) a publishing house initially linked with the symbolist movement. Since 1995 the "Mercure de France" has been part of the Éditions Gallimard publishing group. A literary magazine is a periodical devoted to literature in a broad sense. ... Events England, France, Munster and Cologne invade the United Provinces, therefore this name is know as ´het rampjaar´ (the disaster year) in the Netherlands. ... Events January 14 - King Philip V of Spain abdicates the throne February 20 - The premiere of Giulio Cesare, an Italian opera by George Frideric Handel, takes place in London June 23 - Treaty of Constantinople signed. ... 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... April 5-12: Mount Tambora explodes, changing climate. ... Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 1825 (MDCCCXXV) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... La mort du fossoyeur (The death of the gravedigger) by Carlos Schwabe is a visual compendium of Symbolist motifs. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Éditions Gallimard is the second most important French publisher, and probably the most respected. ...

The "Mercure de France" should not be confused with another literary magazine, the "Mercure du XIXe siècle" (1823-1830). The Mercure du XIXe siècle (sometimes listed as Mercure français du XIXe siècle) was a French literary magazine published from 1823 to 1830. ... 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

The original "Mercure galant" and "Mercure de France"

The "Mercure galant" was founded by the writer Jean Donneau de Visé in 1672. The name refers to the god Mercury, the messenger of the gods; the title also echos the "Mercure françoys" which was France's first literary gazette, founded in 1611 by the Paris bookseller J. Richer. The magazine's goal was to inform elegant society about life in the court and intellectual/artistic debates; the gazette (which appeared irregularly) featured poems, anecdotes, news (marriages, gossip), theater and art reviews, songs, and fashion reviews, and it became fashionable (and sometimes scandalous) to be mentioned in its pages. Publication stopped in 1674, but began again as a monthly with the name "Nouveau Mercure galant" in 1677. Jean Donneau de Visé (1638 - 1710) was a French journalist, royal historian (historiographe du roi), playwright and publicist. ... Events England, France, Munster and Cologne invade the United Provinces, therefore this name is know as ´het rampjaar´ (the disaster year) in the Netherlands. ... A sculpture of the Roman god Mercury by 17th-century Flemish artist Artus Quellinus. ... Events February 19 - England and the Netherlands sign the Treaty of Westminster. ... 1677 (MDCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...

The Mercure galant was a significant development in the history of journalism (it was the first gazette to report on the fashion world (DeJean, 47)) and played a pivotal role in the dissemination of news about fashion, luxury goods, etiquette and court life under Louis XIV to the provinces and abroad. In the 1670s, articles on the new season's fashions were also accompanied with engravings (DeJean, 63; see this work for an extensive analysis of the Mercure galant's mediatization of styles and fashion). “Sun King” redirects here. ...

The gazette was frequently denigrated by authors of the period. The name "Mercure galant" was used by the playwright Edmé Boursault for one of his plays critical of social pretensions; when Donneau de Visé complained, Boursault retitled his play "Comédie sans titre" ("Play without a title"). Edmé Boursault (October, 1638 - September 15, 1701), French dramatist and miscellaneous writer, was born at Mussy lEvéque, now Mussy-sur-Seine (Aube). ...

The gazette played an important role in the "Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns", a debate on whether the arts and literature of the 17th century had achieved more than the illustrious writers and artists of antiquity, which would last until the beginning of the eighteenth century. Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle and the "Mercure galant" joined the "Moderns". Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux was pushed into the role of champion of the "Anciens", and Jean Racine, Jean de La Fontaine and Jean de La Bruyère (who is famous for a jibe against the gazette: "le Mercure... est immédiatement au dessous de rien" ["the Mercure... is immediately above nothing"]) took his defense. The quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns (French: querelle des Anciens et des Modernes) was a literary and artistic quarrel which shook the Académie française at the end of the 17th century. ... For other uses of Fontenelle, see Fontenelle (disambiguation). ... Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux, commonly called Boileau, (November 1, 1636 - March 13, 1711) was a French poet and critic. ... Jean Racine. ... Engraving by Étienne-Jehandier Desrochers Jean de La Fontaine (July 8, 1621 – April 13, 1695) was the most famous French fabulist and probably the most widely read French poet of the 17th century. ... Jean de La Bruyère (August 16, 1645 - May 10, 1696), was a French essayist and moralist. ...

The periodical eventually became a financial success and the uncontested arbiter of literary taste and the paper of record for news about the court and court society for subscribers in the provinces; it also brought Donneau de Visé comfortable revenues.

Thomas Corneille was a frequent contributor to the gazette. The Mercure continued to be published after Donneau de Visé's death in 1710. In 1724 its title was changed to "Mercure de France" and it developed a semi-official character with a governmentally appointed editor (profits were invested into pensions for writers). Jean-François de la Harpe was the editor in chief for 20 years; he also collaborated with Jacques Mallet du Pan. Other significant editors and contributors include: Marmontel, Raynal, Chamfort and Voltaire. Thomas Corneille at the age of 81 Thomas Corneille (August 20, 1625 - December 8, 1709) was a French dramatist. ... // Events April 10 - The worlds first copyright legislation became effective, Britains Statute of Anne Ongoing events Great Northern War (1700-1721) War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713) Births January 3 - Richard Gridley, American Revolutionary soldier (d. ... Events January 14 - King Philip V of Spain abdicates the throne February 20 - The premiere of Giulio Cesare, an Italian opera by George Frideric Handel, takes place in London June 23 - Treaty of Constantinople signed. ... Jean-François de la Harpe (November 20, 1739 - February 11, 1803), French critic, was born in Paris of poor parents. ... Jacques Mallet du Pan (1749 - May 10, 1800), French journalist, of an old Huguenot family, was born near Geneva, the son of a Protestant minister. ... Jean-François Marmontel (July 11, 1723 - December 31, 1799) was a French historian and writer, a member of the Encyclopediste movement. ... Guillaume Thomas François Raynal (April 12, 1713 – March 6, 1796) was a French writer. ... Nicolas Chamfort (1741 - April 13, 1794), was a French writer. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Right before the revolution, management was handed over to Charles-Joseph Panckoucke. During the revolutionary era, the title was changed briefly to "Le Mercure français". Napoleon stopped its publication in 1811, but the review was resurrected in 1815. The review was last published in 1825. Charles-Joseph Panckoucke (26 November 1736 - 19 December 1798) was a French writer and publisher, notable for the Encyclopédie Méthodique, a successor to the Encyclopédie of Denis Diderot. ... For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... April 5-12: Mount Tambora explodes, changing climate. ... Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 1825 (MDCCCXXV) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

The modern "Mercure de France"

History

At the end of the 19th century, the name "Mercure de France" was revived by Alfred Vallette. Vallette was closely linked to a group of writers associated with Symbolism who regularly met at the café "la Mère Clarisse" in Paris (rue Jacob), and which included: Jean Moréas, Émile Raynaud, Pierre Arène, Remy de Gourmont, Alfred Jarry, Albert Samain and Charles Cros. The first edition of the review appeared on January 1, 1890. Alfred Vallette (1858 - 1935) was a French man of letters. ... It has been suggested that List of visitor attractions in Paris be merged into this article or section. ... Jean Moréas (April 15, 1856 - April 30, 1910), born Iannis Papadiamontopolos, was a Greek poet who wrote in the French language. ... Rémy de Gourmont (April 4, 1858 - September 27, 1915) was a French Symbolist poet and influential critic. ... Alfred Jarry Alfred Jarry (September 8, 1873 – November 1, 1907) was a French writer born in Laval, Mayenne, France, not far from the border of Brittany; he was of Breton descent on his mothers side. ... Albert Samain (1858-1900) was a French poet and writer of the Symbolist school. ... Charles Cros (October 1, 1842 - August 9, 1888) was a French poet and inventor. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ...

Over the next decade, the review achieved critical success, and poets such as Stéphane Mallarmé and José-Maria de Heredia published original works in it. The review became bimonthly in 1905. Portrait of Stéphane Mallarmé by Édouard Manet. ... José María de Heredia (November 22, 1842 - October 3, 1905), French poet, the modern master of the French sonnet, was born at Fortuna Cafeyere, near Santiago de Cuba, being in blood part Spanish Creole and part French. ... 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ...

In 1889, Alfred Vallette married the novelist Rachilde whose novel Monsieur Vénus was condemned on moral grounds. Rachilde was a member of the editorial committee of the review until 1924 and her personality and works did much to publicize the review. Rachilde held a salon on Tuesdays, and these "mardis du Mercure" would become famous for the authors who attended. Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Rachilde was the nom de plume of Marguerite Vallette-Eymery a French author who was born February 11, 1860 and died April 4, 1953. ... Year 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A Salon of Ladies by Abraham Bosse A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring hostess or host, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation and readings, often consciously following Horaces definition of the...

Like other reviews of the period, the "Mercure" also began to publish books (beginning in 1894). Along with works by symbolists, the "Mercure" brought out the first French translations of Friedrich Nietzsche, the first works of André Gide, Paul Claudel, Colette and Guillaume Apollinaire and the poems of Tristan Klingsor. Later publications include works by: Henri Michaux, Pierre Reverdy, Pierre-Jean Jouve, Louis-René des Forêts, Pierre Klossowski, André du Bouchet, Georges Séféris, Eugène Ionesco and Yves Bonnefoy. 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (October 15, 1844 – August 25, 1900) (IPA: ) was a 19th-century German philosopher. ... André Gide in 1893 Gide redirects here, for other people named Gide, see Gide (disambiguation) André Paul Guillaume Gide (November 22, 1869 – February 19, 1951) was a French author and winner of the Nobel Prize in literature in 1947. ... Cover of Time Magazine(March 21, 1927) Paul Claudel (August 6, 1868 – February 23, 1955) was a French poet, dramatist and diplomat, and the younger brother of the sculptor Camille Claudel. ... Colette Colette [1] [2] was the pen name of the French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (January 28, 1873 – August 3, 1954). ... Guillaume Apollinaire Guillaume Apollinaire (August 26, 1880 – November 9, 1918) was a poet, writer, and art critic. ... ... Henri Michaux (May 24, 1899 - October 18, 1984) was a highly individualistic Belgian poet, writer and painter who wrote in the French language. ... Pierre Reverdy (13 September 1889 - 17 June 1960) was a French poet associated with surrealism and cubism. ... Pierre Klossowski (1905 – August 12, 2001) was a French writer, translator and artist. ... André du Bouchet (April 7, 1924, Paris - April 19, 2001, Truinas, Drôme) was a French poet. ... Eugène Ionesco Eugène Ionesco, born Eugen Ionescu, (November 26, 1909 – March 29, 1994) was a French-Romanian playwright and dramatist, one of the foremost playwrights of the Theatre of the Absurd. ... Yves Bonnefoy (born Tours, June 1923) is a French poet and essayist. ...

With the death of Vallette in 1935, the management was taken over by Georges Duhamel (who had been editing the review since 1912). In 1938, because of Duhamel's anti-war stance, he was replaced by Jacques Bernard (in 1945, Bernard would be arrested and condemned for collaboration with the Germans). After the war, Duhamel (who was majority stock-holder of the publishing house) appointed Paul Hartman to run the review (Hartman had participated in the resistance and clandestine publishing during the war). 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... Georges Duhamel (June 30, 1884 - April 13, 1966), was a French author, born in Paris. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jacques Bernard (September 1, 1658 - April 27, 1718), French theologian and publicist, was born at Nions in Dauphiné. Having studied at Geneva, he returned to France in 1679, and was chosen minister of Venterol in Dauphiné, whence he afterwards removed to the church of Vinsobres. ... Paul Hartman (Born March 1, 1904 in San Francisco, California - Died October 2, 1973 in Los Angeles, California) was an American televison character actor. ...

In 1958, the Éditions Gallimard publishing group bought the "Mercure de France" and Simone Gallimard was chosen as its director. In 1995, Isabelle Gallimard took over direction of the publishing house. Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Éditions Gallimard is the second most important French publisher, and probably the most respected. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ...

Literary Prizes

Mercure de France has won awards with the following authors:

• Salvat Etchart (Prix Renaudot 1967)
• Claude Farrigi (Prix Fémina 1975)
• Michel Butel (Prix Médicis 1977)
• Jocelyne François (Prix Fémina 1980)
• François-Olivier Rousseau (Prix Médicis et Prix Proust 1981)
• Nicolas Bréhal (Prix Valery Larbaud 1992)
• Paula Jacques (Prix Fémina 1991)
• Dominique Bona (Prix Interallié 1992)
• Andréi Makine (Prix Goncourt and Prix Médicis 1995)
• Romain Gary published his novels under the pen-name Émile Ajar (with the complicity of Simone Gallimard) which allowed him to win an unprecedented two Prix Goncourt.

The prix Renaudot (also called prix Théophraste Renaudot) is is a literary award which was created in 1926 by ten art critics awaiting the results of the deliberation of the jury of the prix Goncourt. ... The Prix Femina is a French literary prize created in 1904 by 22 writers for the magazine La Vie heureuse (today known as Femina). ... The Prix Médicis is a French literary award given each year in November. ... Jocelyne François is a French writer born in Nancy in 1933. ... The Prix Femina is a French literary prize created in 1904 by 22 writers for the magazine La Vie heureuse (today known as Femina). ... The Prix Médicis is a French literary award given each year in November. ... The Prix Femina is a French literary prize created in 1904 by 22 writers for the magazine La Vie heureuse (today known as Femina). ... The Prix Goncourt is the most prestigious prize in French literature, given to the author of the best and most imaginative prose work of the year. Edmond de Goncourt, a successful author, critic, and publisher, bequeathed his entire estate for the foundation and maintenance of the Académie Goncourt. ... The Prix Médicis is a French literary award given each year in November. ... Romain Gary (May 8, 1914 – December 2, 1980) was a French novelist, film director, World War II pilot, and diplomat. ... Romain Gary (May 8, 1914 – December 2, 1980) was a French novelist, film director, World War II pilot, and diplomat. ... The Prix Goncourt is the most prestigious prize in French literature, given to the author of the best and most imaginative prose work of the year. Edmond de Goncourt, a successful author, critic, and publisher, bequeathed his entire estate for the foundation and maintenance of the Académie Goncourt. ...

References

The bulk of this article is based on the French wikipedia article, which is itself taken from the history page of the website of the Mercure de France (see external links). Additional information based on:

• DeJean, Joan. The Essence of Style: How the French Invented Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafés, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour. New York: Free Press, 2005 ISBN 978-0-7432-6414-3
• Harvey, Paul and J.E. Heseltine, eds. The Oxford Compagnon to French Literature. London: Oxford University Press, 1959.
• Patrick Dandrey, ed. Dictionnaire des lettres françaises: Le XVIIe siècle. Collection: La Pochothèque. Paris: Fayard, 1996.

External links

• Official site of the Mercure de France publishing company