Léon Dierx

Who was Léon Dierx?

Léon Dierx was a French poet born in Saint-Denis in 1838. He came to Paris to study at the Central School of Arts and Manufactures and subsequently settled there, taking up a post in the education office. He became a disciple of Leconte de Lisle and one of the most distinguished of the Parnassians. At the death of Stéphane Mallarmé in 1898 he was acclaimed prince of poets by les jeunes. His works include: Aspirations; Poèmes et poésies; Lèvres closes; Paroles d'un vaincu ; La Rencontre, a dramatic scene and Les Amants. His Poésies complètes were crowned by the French Academy. A complete edition of his works was published in 2 vols., 1894-1896. He was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1901.