Courier, Paul-Louis

(1772-1825)

   pamphleteer, writer

   Born in Paris, Paul-Louis Courier, who embraced humanist culture and was a translator of the ancient Greek authors (Herodotus, Longus, Lucius of Patras, and Xenophon) whose clear and elegant style he wished to imitate, resigned his officer's position to retire to his estate, Véretz, in Touraine. There, he published his pamphlets against the political and religious order that had been established by the Restoration. Notable among them are Pétition aux deux Chambres (1816), Lettres au rédacteur du "Censeur" (1820), and Simple discours (1821). Using specific examples, he expressed, with incisiveness and irony, his support for the liberal and anticlerical bourgeoisie. He was the spokesperson especially for that class in his Pamphlet des pamphlets (1824). Courier was assassinated, but the accused were never punished, and the crime remained unsolved.