Writers and scientists, rebels and kings, generals and urban planners - famous people of France have done a lot for the development of not only their country, but the whole world. We all know who Jules Verne, Jacques Cousteau, Alexander Dumas are ... We will supplement this list with the names of several other significant figures that are worthy of no less admiration.
Honore de Balzac
This famous French writer was born in May 1799 in Tours. Balzac himself added a particle “de” to his name, since he claimed to be of noble birth (although his parents were peasants). Honore studied at Vendome College from 1806 to 1813, and completed his education in Paris and Tours. At first, the young man worked in the judicial office, but the position of the clerk did not satisfy him. Since 1819, he decided to go free swimming and began to create. At first, he released novels of a clearly commercial plan (under a pseudonym). A significant role in the life of Balzac was played by his relationship with Madame de Bernie, an attractive woman of forty-five years. These feelings spiritually enriched the young writer.
The first creation, released by Balzac under his own name, is the novel The Last Shuan (1829). After that, they started talking about Honor. The writer tried to reflect the social side of his homeland. In addition, he was distinguished by the desire to diagnose society and offer effective medicine for the treatment of all his ailments. This goal runs through all the creations of the master, taking center stage in the Philosophical Studies. It is noteworthy that the writers were interested in the rich and famous French, and not the working people. Balzac was even proud of how well he knew the high society.
Jean-Paul Belmondo
Many famous people of France glorified the country in the world cinema arena. However, the majority recognizes Jean-Paul Belmondo as the brightest star in this area. He was born in Paris in 1933, his father was a famous sculptor. The young man went to learn all the intricacies of acting at the Conservatory of Dramatic Art, but was dissatisfied with the time spent in this educational institution. The problem was the training system, which Jean-Paul considered simply outdated.
At first, Belmondo took part in theatrical enterprises. He first appeared on the screen in the film “About Moliere and his plays,” but the tape “Sunday. We will steal. " The picture came out on a wide screen in 1957. During this period, Belmondo actively offered work not only at home, but also abroad, in particular in the USA and Italy.
The zenith of the actor’s fame came in the 1970s. Thanks to the extraordinary gift of reincarnation, Jean-Paul shone in such films as The Magnificent (1973) and The Monster (1976). The most significant work of the eighties is Marginal (1983). As a born lyceum, Belmondo enjoys entertaining the public and demonstrating his athletic abilities, but intellectual cinema brings him no less pleasure .
Jules Verne
Many famous people in France began to build their careers not in the field in which they would like. So Jules Verne, who studied law, decided to turn off the beaten track to do what he loves. In 1850, the young writer began to take the first steps to fame: his play “Broken Straws”, staged in the “Historical Theater” by Alexander Dumas, was received very favorably by the audience. The success of the novel “Five weeks in a balloon” (cycle “Extraordinary Travels”) inspired Vern to further work in this vein. The writer increasingly liked to describe the scientific miracles that were born in his imagination.
Jules Verne is the author of more than seventy novels. It was he who owned, at first seemed incredible, predictions about the creation of scuba gear, a submarine, television, about space flights.
Charles de Gaulle
What famous people of France influenced the development of the state? Of course, politics. One of the most successful is Charles de Gaulle - the first president and founder of the Fifth Republic. During his reign (1959-1969), a new version of the Constitution was adopted and the powers of the head of state were significantly expanded. He seriously engaged in the implementation of plans to create his own nuclear weapons of the country, developed Soviet-French cooperation and initiated a withdrawal from NATO.
As de Gaulle himself noted, the formation of his worldview was greatly influenced by the views of such prominent personalities as Charles Peggy (poet, publicist), Maurice Barres (writer), Emile Boutroux and Henri Bergson (philosophers).
During World War II, de Gaulle's life changed radically. First of all, he terminated the peace treaty with fascist Germany and went to England to organize the struggle for the liberation of his country. In exile, he founded the association "Free France" and urged compatriots not to give up in the struggle for independence from the aggressor.
In the conduct of foreign policy, Charles de Gaulle adhered to the idea of ​​the national greatness of his state. As for domestic politics, much less attention was paid to it.
Alexander Dumas Sr.
Many great people of France were known far beyond their homeland. The same can be said of the brilliant writer Alexander Dumas. His adventure novels read the whole world. In addition, he was a journalist and playwright. The childhood, adolescence and youth of Dumas passed in the town of Ville-Cotreux. Thanks to the good reputation and aristocratic ties of his parents, Alexander managed to get a position in the Paris office under the Duke of Orleans. The first historical and journalistic essay was a work entitled "Gaul and France" (year of writing - 1833).
Alexander Dumas Jr
This person occupies a special place in the list of “Outstanding People of France”. The illegitimate son of Alexander Dumas Sr. became a famous playwright. His mother was a dressmaker. Although thanks to the support of his father, the boy did not feel the need, his whole childhood was permeated with a sense of his own inferiority. After personal experiences will be reflected in several of his works. The word master managed to make French drama a powerful tool for influencing society. He did not hesitate to declaratively express his thoughts in the long preface to his plays, acting as a moral arbiter.
One of the most popular works of Dumas-son is “The Money Question”. In it, he makes fun of the shameless nouveau riche. The author covers the painful topic of illegitimate children in a play entitled “The Illegal Son” and in the drama “The Prodigal Father”. In the work "Claude's Wife" Dumas even managed to substantiate the moral right of the husband to kill the unfaithful wife.
Joan of Arc
Some people who glorified France were not even afraid to die for their ideas. The notorious innocent victim of political disagreement was the famous Orleans maiden. A girl from a poor family of peasants became the leader of her compatriots against the British invaders. In 1429, she managed to free Orleans from the siege. In May 1430, she was captured by opponents.
On January 9, 1431, she was forced to appear before the Inquisition. Accused of heresy and witchcraft, Jeanne was sentenced to be burned alive. In May 1920, through the efforts of the Catholic Church, the Virgin of Orleans was canonized.
Jacques Yves Cousteau
This is the most famous Frenchman who explored the oceans. In addition, Cousteau was a talented photographer, writer, inventor and director.
Thanks to a joint work with Emil Ganyan, Jacques-Yves managed to realize ideas about a device that allows you to stay under water for a long time - scuba gear.
Cousteau's father studied law in the capital of France. At one time, he was the youngest doctor of law in the country. His wife was Elizabeth Duranton. Shortly after marriage, their son was born. The boy was named Pierre Antoine. His brother - Jacques-Yves - was born four years later. The future researcher was interested in the depths of the sea from early childhood. Cousteau’s life was cut short due to myocardial infarction. Jacques-Yves preferred to call himself an oceanographic technician. Recent years, researchers have been overshadowed by lawsuits with their own son for the right to use the name of Cousteau, who was already a brand at that time.
Conclusion
Not all the famous French were listed above. A great contribution to the development of the country was made by such geniuses as Pierre Curie, Jean Baptiste Lamarck, Gilbert Lafayette, Claude Lelouch, Henri Matisse, Moliere, Claude Monet, Guy de Maupassant, Andre Morois, Margarita Navarre, Louis Pasteur and many others.