Dictionary.net

A French dramatist and politician; born at Vierzon, 1810; died 1889. An extreme radical agitator, his activity and personal hazard extending from the revolution of 1848 to the Communard insurrection of 1871, his part in the latter obliged him to fly the country, and in 1873 he was sentenced to death by the Council of War. During his exile he wrote many inflammatory political pamphlets. His plays also are of political and social tendencies; they are vigorous, and while somewhat sensational, show real originality. Among them are: "A Revolution of Other Times; or, The Romans at Home"; "The Brigand and the Philosopher"; "Ango"; "Arabella", a drama (1838); "Cedric the Norwegian"; "Diogenes" (1846); "The Rag-Picker of Paris", a tragedy (1849); "Tiberius"; etc.