Gérard de Nerval

Who was Gérard de Nerval?

Gérard de Nerval was the nom-de-plume of the French writer, poet, essayist and translator Gérard Labrunie, one of the most essentially Romantic of French poets.

His life and several of his works were influenced by his infatuation for an actress named Jenny Colon who died in 1842. His works are notable for the author's charming personality and intelligence, his poetic vision and precision of form. His friend and fellow writer Théophile Gautier wrote a touching reminiscence of him in 1867 which was included in Gautier's Portraits et Souvenirs Litéraires, published posthumously in 1875.