Nodier, Charles

(1780-1844)

   writer

   Born in Besançon, Charles Nodier who made his salon, known as the "Arsenal," the center of literary life in Paris (1824-30) and of the romantic movement, used dreams as inspirations for his writings (Contes: Trilby ou le Lutin d'Argail, 1822; La Fée aux miettes, 1832). The use of fantasies, at once graceful and terrifying (Smarra ou les Démons de la nuit, 1821), also is indicative of his literary style. Nodier inspired gérard de nerval and the surrealists. He was elected to the Académie Française in 1833. See also cénacle.