Rue Gabriel Sarrazin

Beneath the bustle of modern Lyon lies Rue Gabriel Sarrazin. It’s a quiet street, but it holds a secret. It whispers a tale of literary acclaim and a forgotten writer. This street, Rue Gabriel Sarrazin, honors Gabriel Sarrazin. He was a French writer born in Laval. He later died in Meyzieu. Sarrazin’s journey began with a prestigious education. He won a first prize in history at the General Competition of the Departments in 1869. He also received an honorable mention in history at the General Competition of Paris in 1870. He studied law until 1875 and earned his law degree in 1877. A pivotal moment in his life was his time in England between 1878 and 1879. He fell in love with English poetry. This profoundly influenced his literary career. After spending a year in Germany, he returned to France. He published “Modern Poets of England” in 1885 and a second volume in 1890. These volumes showcased essays on prominent English poets. These included Landor, Shelley, Keats, Browning, Rossetti, Swinburne, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Tennyson, and even Walt Whitman. Sarrazin contributed to various publications like the Revue Contemporaine, Revue Indépendante, Jeune France, Monde Poétique, and Nouvelle Revue. He also contributed to the Athenoeum in England. In the 1920s, he presided over the Society of Provincial Writers. This society was founded in Bordeaux during World War I. It published a journal called La Revue Provinciale. In 1925, it established the Académie des Dix. Rue Gabriel Sarrazin stands as a tribute to his literary contributions. The French Academy recognized his work with several awards. He received the Bordin Prize in 1890, the Marcelin Guérin Prize in 1906, the Xavier Marmier Prize in 1912, and the Academy Prize in 1931. Rue Gabriel Sarrazin is more than just a street in Lyon’s 8th arrondissement. It’s a quiet reminder of a writer who bridged cultures. He shared his love for English poetry with the French literary world.