Jean Giraudoux facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Giraudoux
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Portrait of Giraudoux in 1927
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| Born | 29 October 1882 Bellac, Haute-Vienne, France |
| Died | 31 January 1944 (aged 61) Paris, France |
| Occupation | Dramatist |
| Nationality | French |
| Notable works | The Madwoman of Chaillot, Ondine, Duel of Angels, The Trojan War Will Not Take Place |
| Spouse | Suzanne Boland |
| Children | Jean-Pierre Giraudoux 1919–2000 |
Hippolyte Jean Giraudoux (born October 29, 1882 – died January 31, 1944) was a famous French writer. He wrote many things, including novels, essays, and especially plays. He was also a diplomat, which means he worked for his country's government in other countries.
Giraudoux is known as one of the most important French playwrights between World War I and World War II. His writing style was very elegant and often included poetic fantasy. A main idea in his work was the relationship between people, especially men and women.
Contents
Jean Giraudoux's Life Story
Jean Giraudoux was born in a town called Bellac, in Haute-Vienne, France. His father, Léger Giraudoux, worked for the French government's transport department.
Early Life and Education
Giraudoux went to school at the Lycée Lakanal in Sceaux. After finishing school, he traveled a lot around Europe. In 1910, he returned to France and started working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This job involved dealing with other countries.
Military Service and Awards
When World War I began, Giraudoux joined the army. He served very well and was even awarded the Legion of Honour in 1915. This is a very high award given by the French government for excellent service. He was the first writer ever to receive this award during wartime.
Writing Career and Family Life
Giraudoux got married in 1918. Most of his famous writings were created in the years between World War I and World War II. He first became successful with his novels, like Siegfried et le Limousin (1922) and Eglantine (1927).
He started working closely with a famous actor and theater director named Louis Jouvet in 1928. This partnership helped Giraudoux write many of his plays. His plays became very well-known around the world. Many of them were adapted into English by writers like Christopher Fry and Maurice Valency. Some of his most famous plays include The Madwoman of Chaillot and Ondine.
Political Roles
Besides writing, Giraudoux was also involved in politics. He was part of the Radical Party. In 1932, he worked in the government cabinet of Édouard Herriot. Later, in 1939, he was made the Minister of Information by Édouard Daladier. This role meant he was in charge of how the government shared news and information.
Giraudoux also helped choose winners for the Prix Blumenthal. This was a special award given to talented artists, writers, and musicians.
Death
Jean Giraudoux passed away on January 31, 1944, in Paris, France. He is buried in the Cimetière de Passy in Paris.
Jean Giraudoux's Works
Giraudoux wrote many different types of works, but he is most famous for his plays.
Plays (Theatrical productions)
- Siegfried (1928)
- Amphitryon 38 (1929)
- Judith (1931)
- The Enchanted (1933)
- Tessa (1934)
- Supplément au voyage de Cook (1935)
- The Trojan War Will Not Take Place (1935)
- Electra (1937)
- L'Impromptu de Paris (1937)
- Song of Songs (1938)
- Ondine (1939)
- The Apollo of Bellac (1942)
- Sodom and Gomorrah (1943)
- The Madwoman of Chaillot (1945, performed after his death)
- Duel of Angels (Pour Lucrèce) (1953, performed after his death)
- Les Gracques (unfinished; published 1958)
Films
- The Duchess of Langeais (1942) - Giraudoux wrote the adaptation and dialogue.
- Angels of the Streets (1943) - Giraudoux wrote the screenplay.
Books (Publications)
- Provinciales (1909)
- L'École des indifférents (1911)
- Lectures pour une ombre (1917)
- Simon le Pathétique (1918)
- L'Adieu à la guerre (1919)
- Elpénor (1919)
- Amica America (1919)
- Adorable Clio (1920)
- Suzanne et le Pacifique (1921)
- Siegfried et le Limousin (1922)
- Juliette au pays des hommes (1924)
- Bella (1926)
- Églantine (1927)
- Aventures de Jérôme Bardini (1930)
- La France sentimentale (1932)
- Combat avec l'ange (1934)
- Choix des élues (1939)
- Pleins pouvoirs (1939)
- Armistice à Bordeaux (1945)
- Sans pouvoirs (1946)
- La Menteuse (1958)
See also
In Spanish: Jean Giraudoux para niños
