Goncourt

Goncourt, Edmond, de (1822-88), and Jules (1830-70), two French novelists, whose works are, perhaps, the most successful result of collaboration ever seen. The former was born at Nancy and the latter at Paris. Before writing fiction they published a series of sketches dealing with the history of the 18th century, the chief of which were Histoire de la Societe Francaise pendant la Revolution (1854) and Portraits Intimes du XVIII. Siecle (1856-58). In afteryears they also produced La Femme au XVIII Siecle, and some artistic studies, L'Art au XVIII Siecle (1874), and studies of Watteau and Proudhon by the elder brother only. Their first novel was Les Hommes de Lettres (1860); and the best of their joint productions were Renee Mauperin (1864), Germinie Lacerteux (1865), and Madame Gervaisais (1869). Jules died on June 20, 1870, but Edmond wrote after his death La Fille Elisa, which had both merit and popularity, and several other works. The letters of Jules were given to the world in 1885, and the Journal of the brothers appeared in complete form in 1888. Their artistic was of greater value than their historical work.