Paul Claudel

Biographical information

RolesReferee
SexMale
Full nameCharles Louis Paul•Claudel
Used namePaul•Claudel
Born6 August 1868 in Villeneuve-sur-Fère, Aisne (FRA)
Died23 February 1955 in Paris XVIe, Paris (FRA)
NOC France

Biography

Paul Claudel grew up in rural Picardy as the younger brother of the future sculptor Camille Claudel (1864-1943). At the age of 18, the previously irreligious youngster had an experience of religious conversion at Christmas in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and became a devout Catholic and a Benedictine oblate.

After completing studies at the École libre des Sciences politiques, Claudel then applied to be trained as a diplomat in the consular service. As a diplomat, he was active in the consular service in the USA (1893-95, 1927-33), China (1895-1909), Japan (1921-27), and eventually in Belgium (1933-1936) with shorter periods in Czechoslovakia, Germany, Brazil, and Denmark. During his time in Japan, he worked to strengthen cultural relations between the two countries establishing the Maison Franco-Japonaise. In 1928 he published L’Oiseau noir dans le soleil levant (A Black Bird in the Rising Sun).

As a writer, Claudel was one of the main representatives of the Renouveau catholique (Catholic revival). In addition to poetry, he wrote mainly dramas and essays – the latter strongly influenced by his visits to the Far East. His plays were characterized by pathetic, lyrical language and lacked an exciting plot. The focus is usually on the motif of self-sacrifice due to a religiously inspired morality. His best-known and most frequently performed drama is L’Annonce faite à Marie (Annunciation), written in 1911/12 and set in the Middle Ages. His major work, however, is considered to be Le Soulier de satin (The Silken Shoe) from 1925, a play set in 16th century Spain, an immensely long drama presenting the sum of Claudel’s thoughts, which was not performed until 1943 in a greatly streamlined version. As a poet, he created his verse form, mostly rhymeless prose in free rhythms.

Claudel became a member of the Académie Française in 1946. He received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor and in 1932 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. After World War II, he gradually fell into oblivion.

Referee

Games Sport (Discipline) / Event NOC / Team Phase Unit Role As
1924 Summer Olympics Art Competitions FRA Paul Claudel
Literature, Open (Olympic) Final Standings Judge