Charles Paul de Kock facts for kids
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Charles Paul de Kock (born May 21, 1793, in Passy, Paris – died April 27, 1871, in Paris) was a French novelist. He was one of the most popular writers of his time. His books sold very well. Today, his works are not often printed in new English editions.
Contents
Who Was Paul de Kock?
Early Life and Career
Paul de Kock's father, Jean Conrad de Kock, was a banker. He was from the Netherlands. His father died in Paris on March 24, 1794. This happened during a difficult time in history called the Reign of Terror. Paul's mother, Anne-Marie Perret, was a widow from Basel.
Paul de Kock started working as a banker's clerk. He lived most of his life in Paris, where he was born. He rarely left the city.
He began writing for the stage very early. He wrote many libretti for operas. His first novel was L'Enfant de ma femme (1811). He published it himself when he was 18 years old.
In 1820, he started a long series of successful novels. These books were about life in Paris. The first one was Georgette, ou la Nièce du tabellion. He wrote many books during the Restoration period. He was also very successful when Louis Philippe I was king.
His Popularity as a Writer
By 1830, Paul de Kock was a very popular author in Europe. His books usually sold 2,000 to 3,000 copies. Other famous writers like Honoré de Balzac, George Sand, and Eugène Sue often sold fewer than 1,000 copies.
Théophile Gautier said that de Kock was truly popular. He said that everyone read his books. William Makepeace Thackeray noted in 1841 that de Kock was the most well-known French writer in England.
What Kind of Stories Did He Write?
Paul de Kock wrote about 100 books. Most of them were stories about everyday Parisian life. They often featured places like guinguettes (outdoor cafes) and cabarets. His stories were full of observations and funny humor.
Some of his most famous works are André le Savoyard (1825) and Le Barbier de Paris (1826).
Here are some examples of his books:
- Gustave le mauvais sujet (1821)
- Frère Jacques (1822)
- La laitière de Montfermeil (1827)
- Monsieur Dupont (1825)
- Un Tourlouron (1837)
- La femme, le mari et l'amant (1829)
- Le cocu (1831)
- La pucelle de Belleville (1834)
A large collection of his works, with 56 volumes, came out in 1884. His son, Henri (1819–1892), also became a writer and followed his style.
See also
In Spanish: Paul de Kock para niños
