Victor Margueritte

Who was Victor Margueritte?

Victor Margueritte and his brother Paul Margueritte, French novelists, both born in Algeria, were the sons of General Jean Auguste Margueritte, who after an honorable career in Algeria was mortally wounded in the great cavalry charge at Sedan, and died in Belgium, on September 6, 1870. An account of his life was published by Paul Margueritte as Mon père. The names of the two brothers are generally associated, on account of their collaboration.

Paul Margueritte, who has given a picture of his home in Algiers in Le Jardin du passé, was sent to the Prytanée National Militaire for the sons of officers. In 1880, he became a clerk to the minister of public instruction.

Victor Margueritte wrote several theatrical "charades" and collaborated with his brother Paul on at least one pantomime: La Peur. His novel La Garçonne was considered so shocking it caused the author to lose his Légion d'honneur.