Morand, Paul

(1888-1976)

   writer

   Born in Paris, Paul Morand traveled extensively in a diplomatic career that took him to London, Rome, Bucharest, and Bern. He thus became known as the "globe-trotter" of literature. Attempting to "survey the world's disorganization" through his poems (Lampes à arc, 1919; Feuilles de température, 1920), in his novel (Lewis et Irene, 1924), and especially in his lively accounts, he gives a brilliant image of Paris before World War II and of a world about to fall prey to new ideologies. His Chroniques du vingtième siècle (1925-30) shows his sensitivity to diverse cultures. in them, he evokes a less superficial world. This development continued after the war (Le Flagellant de Séville, 1951; Hécate et ses chiens, 1954; Tais-toi, 1965), and with these impressionistic writings, Morand earned the title "inventor of the modern style." In his Vénises (1971), he presents one of the most original travel journals of the 20th century. Morand was elected to the Académie Française in 1968.