Dictionary.net

A French novelist and dramatist; born at Limoges, Dec. 3, 1840. He has written a long series of very successful novels, the most noteworthy of them being: "Madeleine Bertin" (1868); "The Million" (1882); "Monsieur the Minister" (1882); "Noris, Manners of the Time" (1883); "The American Woman" (1892). He wrote also some striking chapters of contemporary history, as "The Revolution of 1870-71"; "Paris Besieged"; "Five Years After: Alsace and Lorraine since Annexation". His dramatic compositions relate mostly to the time of the great Revolution. He became administrator of the Comedie Francaise in 1885, and was chosen member of the Academy in 1888.