Alexandre Chatrian

Biography

Alexandre Chatrian was born on December 18, 1826, in Abreschviller, Moselle, in the locality known as le Grand Soldat in the Lorraine region of northeastern France. From 1842, he studied in Phalsbourg, where in the spring of 1847 he met Émile Erckmann, beginning one of the most successful literary collaborations in French literature. Chatrian worked as a teacher before joining forces with Erckmann to create the joint pseudonym 'Erckmann-Chatrian,' under which they would publish nearly all their works.

The partnership between Chatrian and Erckmann proved extraordinarily fruitful, with recognition coming in 1859 when they became well known as fantasy writers. They moved together to Paris, where they lived close to the east railway station and returned frequently to their native Lorraine. In 1868, the publisher Hetzel bought exclusive rights to their work, and Chatrian purchased a property at Raincy. During this period, they gained popularity for their nationalistic, anti-militaristic, and anti-German sentiments, particularly during and after the Franco-Prussian War.

From 1872 onwards, the collaboration began to shift as Erckmann focused primarily on novels while Chatrian busied himself with their plays. Their working relationship became strained during the 1880s, and they quarreled permanently in the mid-1880s, after which they produced no more joint works. Chatrian's mental health began to deteriorate during this period. He died on September 3, 1890, in Villemomble, Seine-Saint-Denis, France, bringing to an end one of the most celebrated literary partnerships of the 19th century.

Major Works & Series

Literary Significance & Legacy

Alexandre Chatrian, as part of the Erckmann-Chatrian collaboration, was instrumental in establishing French regionalist literature and the supernatural tale as legitimate literary genres. Their works bridged the gap between Romantic and Realist traditions, combining careful historical research with vivid imagination. They were among the first French authors to successfully integrate folklore and regional culture into sophisticated literary narratives, influencing later writers like Anatole France and Maurice Barrès.

The Erckmann-Chatrian partnership represented a unique literary phenomenon that helped define 19th-century French popular literature. Their ability to write compelling stories from the perspective of ordinary people during extraordinary historical events democratized historical fiction and influenced the development of the modern war novel. Their supernatural tales contributed significantly to the development of Gothic literature in France and influenced later writers of fantastic literature, including Guy de Maupassant and Théophile Gautier.

Best Starting Points

• L'Ami Fritz
  A charming Alsatian tale that perfectly captures the regional flavor and warm humanity that made Erckmann-Chatrian beloved by readers across France.
• Histoire d'un conscrit de 1813
  The masterpiece of their historical series, offering an unforgettable portrait of the Napoleonic Wars through the eyes of a young soldier from Alsace.
• L'Œil invisible
  One of their finest supernatural tales, demonstrating their mastery of Gothic atmosphere and psychological suspense.
• L'Homme-loup
  A classic werewolf story that showcases their ability to blend folklore with literary sophistication.

Famous Characters

• Joseph Bertha
  The young conscript protagonist of 'Histoire d'un conscrit de 1813,' representing the innocent caught up in the machinery of war.
• Fritz Kobus
  The jovial bachelor from 'L'Ami Fritz' who discovers love late in life, embodying Alsatian warmth and humor.
• The Man-Wolf
  The tormented lycanthrope from their famous supernatural tale, representing the struggle between civilization and primitive nature.
• Michel Frey
  The peasant narrator of several historical tales, providing the common man's perspective on great historical events.
• Maître Fix
  The village clockmaker whose mechanical genius becomes entangled with supernatural forces.
• Catherine
  The spirited young woman from 'L'Ami Fritz' who brings romance and vitality to the comfortable bachelor's life.