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{{Short description|French writer and journalist}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name =Lucien Rebatet
| name =Lucien Rebatet
| other_names =
|other_names= François Vinneuil
| image =Rebatet librairie.jpg
| image =Rebatet librairie.jpg
| image_size = 225px
| image_size = 225px
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| known =
| known =
| occupation = journalist, author
| occupation = journalist, author
| religion =
| spouse =
| spouse =
| partner =
| partner =
| children =
| children =
| relations =
| relations =
| influences =
| influenced =
}}
}}


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'''Lucien Rebatet''' (15 November 1903 – 24 August 1972) was a French fascist, writer, journalist, and intellectual. He is known as an exponent of [[fascism]] and also as the author of ''[[Les Deux étendards]]''.
{{French literature sidebar}}

⚫
'''Lucien Rebatet''' (15 November 1903 – 24 August 1972) was a French author, journalist, and intellectual. He is known as an exponent of [[fascism]] and virulent [[antisemitism|antisemite]] but also as the author of ''Les Deux étendards'', regarded by some as one of the greatest novels of the post-war era.


==Biography==
==Biography==


===Early life===
===Early life===
Rebatet was born and died in [[Moras-en-Valloire]], [[Drôme]]. As a young man, Rebatet was educated in [[Saint-Chamond, Loire]]. From 1923 to 1927 he studied at the [[University of Paris|Sorbonne]], after which he became an insurance agent. It was only in 1929 that he began his career as a writer, becoming a music and film critic (the latter under the pseudonym '''François Vinneuil''') for the [[far right]] [[Integralism|integralist]] ''[[Action Française]]'' newspaper. In 1932 Rebatet became a contributor to the right-wing newspaper ''[[Je suis partout]]'', for which he wrote until the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] liberation in 1944. In 1938 he became head of information for Action Française and worked closely with the movement's founder, [[Charles Maurras]].
Rebatet was born and died in [[Moras-en-Valloire]], [[Drôme]]. As a young man, Rebatet was educated in [[Saint-Chamond, Loire]]. From 1923 to 1927 he studied at the [[University of Paris|Sorbonne]], after which he became an insurance agent. It was only in 1929 that he began his career as a writer, becoming a music and film critic (the latter under the pseudonym '''François Vinneuil''') for the [[far right]] [[Integralism|integralist]] ''[[Action Française]]'' newspaper. In 1932 Rebatet became a contributor to the right-wing newspaper ''[[Je suis partout]]'' ("I Am Everywhere"), for which he wrote until the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] liberation in 1944. In 1938 he became head of information for Action Française and worked closely with the movement's founder, [[Charles Maurras]].


Long before the outbreak of war between France and [[Nazi Germany]], Rebatet expressed sympathy for [[Nazism|National Socialism]], notably in his articles for ''Je suis partout'' ("I Am Everywhere"), in which he accused [[Jews]] of fomenting a war to topple [[Adolf Hitler]]’s régime. In 1940 he was drafted into the [[French Army]] and, although he served, openly hoped for a "''short and disastrous war for France''".
Long before the outbreak of war between France and [[Nazi Germany]], Rebatet expressed sympathy for [[Nazism|National Socialism]], notably in his articles for ''Je suis partout'', in which he accused [[Jews]] of fomenting a war to topple [[Adolf Hitler]]’s régime. In 1940 he was drafted into the [[French Army]] and, although he served, openly hoped for a "''short and disastrous war for France''".


===Collaboration===
===Collaboration===
After the [[fall of France]] he became a radio reporter for the [[Vichy France|Vichy government]]. He soon left this post, as well as Action Française, to join [[Jacques Doriot]]'s newspaper ''[[Cri Du Peuple]]'', and to continue his writings for ''Je suis partout''.
After the [[fall of France]] he became a radio reporter for the [[Vichy France|Vichy government]]. He soon left this post, as well as Action Française, to join [[Jacques Doriot]]'s newspaper ''[[Cri Du Peuple]]'', and to continue his writings for ''Je suis partout''.


In 1942 Rebatet published a lengthy [[pamphlet]] entitled ''[[Les Décombres]]'' ("The Ruins"), in which he traced the forces he believed to have led France to its fall. He firmly accused [[Third French Republic|Third Republic]] politicians and its military leadership, as well as French Jews - who he claimed were the prime cause of France's political and military woes. ''Les Décombres'' is the clearest expression of Rebatet's fascism, as well as his most virulently antisemitic work. The same year, he began writing ''[[Les Deux étendards]]'' ("The Two Standards"), his first novel.
In 1942 Rebatet published a lengthy [[pamphlet]] entitled ''[[Les Décombres]]'' ("The Ruins"), in which he traced the forces he believed to have led France to its fall. He firmly accused [[Third French Republic|Third Republic]] politicians and its military leadership, as well as French Jews - who he claimed were the prime cause of France's political and military woes. ''Les Décombres'' is the clearest expression of Rebatet's fascism, as well as his most antisemitic work. The same year, he began writing ''[[Les Deux étendards]]'' ("The Two Standards"), his first novel.


In August 1944 Rebatet fled France for Germany, travelling to the [[Sigmaringen enclave]] (place of refuge for Vichy authorities as well as the more famous French writer, [[Louis-Ferdinand Céline|Céline]]). It was in Sigmaringen that Rebatet completed ''Les Deux étendards'', which would be published in 1952 by [[Gallimard]]. He was arrested in Austria in 1945.
In August 1944 Rebatet fled France for Germany, travelling to the [[Sigmaringen enclave]] (place of refuge for Vichy authorities as well as the more famous French writer, [[Louis-Ferdinand Céline|Céline]]). It was in Sigmaringen that Rebatet completed ''Les Deux étendards'', which would be published in 1952 by [[Gallimard]]. He was arrested in Austria in 1945.


===After the war===
===After the war===
Rebatet was sent back to France and, in 1946, received a [[death sentence]], which was commuted to [[Penal labour|forced labor]] the next year. Released from prison in 1952, he returned to journalism in 1953, becoming the director of the literary section of ''[[Dimanche Matin]]''. In 1954, Gallimard published Rebatet's second novel, ''[[Les Epis Mûrs]]'' ("The Ripe Grains"). His final work was a history of music which he began writing in 1965, and which was published by [[Laffont]] in 1969.
Rebatet was sent back to France and, in 1946, received a [[death sentence]], which was commuted to [[Penal labour|forced labor]] the next year. Released from prison in 1952, he returned to journalism in 1953, becoming the director of the literary section of ''[[Dimanche Matin]]''. In 1954, Gallimard published Rebatet's second novel, ''[[Les Épis Mûrs]]'' ("The Ripe Grains"). His final work was a history of music which he began writing in 1965, and which was published by [[Éditions Robert Laffont|Laffont]] in 1969.


Although Rebatet continued to proclaim his adherence to fascism until his death, his antisemitism became less pronounced after the war{{citation needed|date=December 2015}}, showing even admiration for the state of Israel.<ref>http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2014/07/28/01002-20140728ARTFIG00036--l-extreme-droite-etait-pro-israelienne-jusqu-a-la-guerre-du-kippour.php</ref>
Although Rebatet continued to proclaim his adherence to fascism until his death, his antisemitism became less pronounced after the war{{citation needed|date=December 2015}}, and he even came to show admiration for the state of Israel.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2014/07/28/01002-20140728ARTFIG00036--l-extreme-droite-etait-pro-israelienne-jusqu-a-la-guerre-du-kippour.php| title = " L'extrême droite était pro-israélienne jusqu'à la guerre du Kippour "| date = 28 July 2014}} </ref> In 1967, he admitted: "The cause of Israel over there is that of all Westerners. It would have surprised me if I had been prophesied in 1939 that I would one day wish for the victory of a Zionist army. But this is the solution that I find reasonable today."<ref>Michaël Bloch, [http://fr.scribd.com/doc/172702109/Memoire-l-extreme-droite-francaise-face-a-la-question-israelienne "L'extrême droite française face à la question israélienne"], mémoire IEP, Aix-en-Provence, p. 33.</ref> In 1969, he also observed: "savor the historical paradox that led the Jews of Israel to defend all the patriotic, moral, military values that they most violently fought during a century in their adopted country."<ref>''[[Rivarol (hebdomadaire)|Rivarol]]'', 25 septembre 1969.</ref>


Despite his controversial biography, there are those, such as [[George Steiner]], who claim that Lucien Rebatet was a great writer, and that ''Les Deux étendards'' in particular deserves to be considered an important novel in French literary history.
Despite his controversial biography, there are those, such as [[George Steiner]], who claim that Lucien Rebatet was a great writer, and that ''Les Deux étendards'' in particular deserves to be considered an important novel in French literary history.
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*Rebatet is depicted in [[Jonathan Littell]]'s [[historical novel]] ''[[Les Bienveillantes]]'', where he is a friend of the main character Maximilian Aue.
*Rebatet is depicted in [[Jonathan Littell]]'s [[historical novel]] ''[[Les Bienveillantes]]'', where he is a friend of the main character Maximilian Aue.


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==References==
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{{Reflist}}

{{Fascism}}
{{French far right}}
{{French far right}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

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==References==
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{{Reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Rebatet, Lucien}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rebatet, Lucien}}
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[[Category:People from Drôme]]
[[Category:People from Drôme]]
[[Category:French art critics]]
[[Category:French art critics]]
[[Category:French collaborators with Nazi Germany]]
[[Category:French Christian Zionists]]
[[Category:French fascists]]
[[Category:French fascists]]
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[[Category:French journalists]]
[[Category:French literary critics]]
[[Category:French literary critics]]
[[Category:French political writers]]
[[Category:French political writers]]
[[Category:People affiliated with Action Française]]
[[Category:People affiliated with Action Française]]
[[Category:French military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:French military personnel of World War II]]
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[[Category:French anti-communists]]
[[Category:20th-century French novelists]]
[[Category:20th-century French novelists]]
[[Category:French male essayists]]
[[Category:French male essayists]]
[[Category:French male novelists]]
[[Category:French male novelists]]
[[Category:French prisoners sentenced to death]]
[[Category:French prisoners sentenced to death]]
[[Category:People convicted of indignité nationale]]
[[Category:Prisoners sentenced to death by France]]
[[Category:Prisoners sentenced to death by France]]
[[Category:20th-century French essayists]]
[[Category:20th-century French essayists]]
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[[Category:20th-century French journalists]]
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[[Category:20th-century French male writers]]

Revision as of 08:37, 2 June 2024

Lucien Rebatet
Born15 November 1903
Moras-en-Valloire, France
Died24 August 1972(1972-08-24) (aged 68)
Moras-en-Valloire, France
Other namesFrançois Vinneuil
Occupation(s)journalist, author

Lucien Rebatet (15 November 1903 – 24 August 1972) was a French fascist, writer, journalist, and intellectual. He is known as an exponent of fascism and also as the author of Les Deux étendards.

Biography

Early life

Rebatet was born and died in Moras-en-Valloire, Drôme. As a young man, Rebatet was educated in Saint-Chamond, Loire. From 1923 to 1927 he studied at the Sorbonne, after which he became an insurance agent. It was only in 1929 that he began his career as a writer, becoming a music and film critic (the latter under the pseudonym François Vinneuil) for the far right integralist Action Française newspaper. In 1932 Rebatet became a contributor to the right-wing newspaper Je suis partout ("I Am Everywhere"), for which he wrote until the Allied liberation in 1944. In 1938 he became head of information for Action Française and worked closely with the movement's founder, Charles Maurras.

Long before the outbreak of war between France and Nazi Germany, Rebatet expressed sympathy for National Socialism, notably in his articles for Je suis partout, in which he accused Jews of fomenting a war to topple Adolf Hitler’s régime. In 1940 he was drafted into the French Army and, although he served, openly hoped for a "short and disastrous war for France".

Collaboration

After the fall of France he became a radio reporter for the Vichy government. He soon left this post, as well as Action Française, to join Jacques Doriot's newspaper Cri Du Peuple, and to continue his writings for Je suis partout.

In 1942 Rebatet published a lengthy pamphlet entitled Les Décombres ("The Ruins"), in which he traced the forces he believed to have led France to its fall. He firmly accused Third Republic politicians and its military leadership, as well as French Jews - who he claimed were the prime cause of France's political and military woes. Les Décombres is the clearest expression of Rebatet's fascism, as well as his most antisemitic work. The same year, he began writing Les Deux étendards ("The Two Standards"), his first novel.

In August 1944 Rebatet fled France for Germany, travelling to the Sigmaringen enclave (place of refuge for Vichy authorities as well as the more famous French writer, Céline). It was in Sigmaringen that Rebatet completed Les Deux étendards, which would be published in 1952 by Gallimard. He was arrested in Austria in 1945.

After the war

Rebatet was sent back to France and, in 1946, received a death sentence, which was commuted to forced labor the next year. Released from prison in 1952, he returned to journalism in 1953, becoming the director of the literary section of Dimanche Matin. In 1954, Gallimard published Rebatet's second novel, Les Épis Mûrs ("The Ripe Grains"). His final work was a history of music which he began writing in 1965, and which was published by Laffont in 1969.

Although Rebatet continued to proclaim his adherence to fascism until his death, his antisemitism became less pronounced after the war[citation needed], and he even came to show admiration for the state of Israel.[1] In 1967, he admitted: "The cause of Israel over there is that of all Westerners. It would have surprised me if I had been prophesied in 1939 that I would one day wish for the victory of a Zionist army. But this is the solution that I find reasonable today."[2] In 1969, he also observed: "savor the historical paradox that led the Jews of Israel to defend all the patriotic, moral, military values that they most violently fought during a century in their adopted country."[3]

Despite his controversial biography, there are those, such as George Steiner, who claim that Lucien Rebatet was a great writer, and that Les Deux étendards in particular deserves to be considered an important novel in French literary history.

Cultural references

References

  1. ^ "" L'extrême droite était pro-israélienne jusqu'à la guerre du Kippour "". 28 July 2014.
  2. ^ Michaël Bloch, "L'extrême droite française face à la question israélienne", mémoire IEP, Aix-en-Provence, p. 33.
  3. ^ Rivarol, 25 septembre 1969.
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