Honore+de+Balzac

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Honore de Balzac was born May 20, 1799 in Tours, France. He is known as a French literary artist who wrote novels and short stories. He was born to a French peasant family on his father side and to Parisian clothes merchants on his mothers side. He attended school from age 8-14 at the the prestigious College des oratiorians. =====

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After the fall of Napoleon, Balzac moved to Paris. During this time he attended school for two more years and cleared for a lawyer for 3 years. During this period of time he wrote his first novel, //Cromwell//. He tried to become a successful author, but failed. He tried his hand as a businessman by becoming a printer, publisher, and a typefoundry, but also failed. He was forced into bankruptcy leaving over 60,000 Francs unpaid. It was during this time that he returned to writing. He had minor success after writing //Les Chouans//, which was a story about Breton peasants. He also garnered fame from his story //La Physiologie du mariage//. This was a satire about marriage and peoples infidelities. Balzac was also known for //De la vie Privee//, which was a book of 6 short stories that examined the relationships between girls and authority figures. =====

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Balzac was known to be a workaholic as he would write thirteen to sixteen hours per day, while consuming vast quantities of strong coffee. In 1832 he met and admirer of his works by the name of Eveline Henska. She was a Polish Countess who was married to an elderly Ukrainian landowner/aristocrat. They had a torrid love affair through the mail and decided to wed once her husband passed away. During this time Balzac was motivated and wrote many of his most famous novels. He was determined to find financial security at last. =====

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Balzac was an observer of life and events in Paris and he would write his stories about French society. He was known to use the recurring theme of a young french provincial fighting his way through the tough city of Paris to improve his lot in lice. He is credited for creating realism in novels. He died on August 18, 1850 in Paris, France and that is where he is laid to rest. He is buried in Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. =====