Sand George

Sand, GEORGE (1804-76), a notable French novelist, was the daughter of a French officer named Dupin, and was born in Paris. Her real name was Armandine Lucile Aurore Dupin previous to her marriage with M. Dudevant. She imbibed some of Rousseau's doctrines at an early age, and in 1817 entered the convent of the English Augustines in Paris, where she stayed three years. Her earlier life was spent with her grandmother in the country, and on the latter's death she married, but her wedded life was not a happy one, and they were separated, she taking charge of the two children. In 1831 or thereabouts she made the acquaintance of Jules Sandeau, and, having previously written a little for the press, she collaborated with him in a novel, which was published (1831) under the pseudonym of Jules Sand. Her own first novel, Indiana, appeared in 1832 over the name of George Sand. Having made some reputation, she settled down to literary work, and produced many novels in rapid succession. Having met with Alfred de Musset she went to Italy with him, and afterwards formed liaisons with other famous men, especially Chopin the musician, with whom she remained eight years. During the Revolution of 1848 she was concerned in political affairs, and her pen was devoted to them rather than to novels. Her very impressionable nature was stirred by certain mystical phenomena, and she has left in many of her novels a strong evidence of the religious or spiritualistic bent of her mmd. Spiridion (1839) is especially marked by this exaltation. Consuelo appeared in 1842, and other novels of hers deserving of mention are La Comtesse de Rudolstadt (1843). Le Meunier d'Angibault (1845), La Mare du Diable (1846), one of her most beautiful productions, La Petite Fadette (1848), besides Jean de la Roche, Mauprat, La Daniella, Histoire de ma Vie (1854), and Impressions et Souvenirs (1873). Her most successful play is Le Marquis de Villemer (1864). The beauty of her style is one of her chief merits.