Dictionary.net

pseudonym of Jules Fleury-Husson. A French novelist and miscellaneous writer; born at Laon, Sept. 10, 1821; died at Sevres, Dec. 5, 1889. His story of "Les Chien-Caillous" was in Victor Hugo's opinion a masterpiece of realistic description. He wrote an autobiographical novel of his youthful years in "The Confessions of Sylvius" (1849), continuing the story in "The Adventures of Mariette" (1856). But his "Burghers of Molinchart" (1855), a satiric delineation of the provincial bourgeoisie, made him famous. He is a pronounced "realist". Among his later novels, "The Tourangeau Girls" (1864) and "The Little Rose", are most worthy of mention. He compiled a "General History of Caricature" (5 vols., 1865-85), with a supplementary volume, "Secret Museum of Caricature" (1888); and several other works on the arts of design and ceramics.