Maurice Barrès

Maurice Barrès (1862-1923), French novelist and politician, born in Charmes. He served in the Chamber of Deputies from 1889. His earlier writing is highly introspective, but his later work reflects his growing nationalism and desire to protect France's interests in the face of encroachment from neighbouring countries. With his fellow conservative Charles Maurras, he was one of the chief spokesmen for the right-wing anti-Dreyfus cause during the Dreyfus Affair, developing nationalist doctrines which were an early form of fascism. He profoundly influenced such French writers as André Gide and André Malraux. Among his numerous novels are the trilogies Le Culte du moi (The Cult of the Self, 1888-1891), Le Roman de l'energie nationale (The Novel of National Vigour, 1897-1902), and The Sacred Hill (1913; trans. 1929).