Genius in France: An Idea and Its Uses

Description

This engaging book spans three centuries to provide the first full account of the long and diverse history of genius in France. Exploring a wide range of examples from literature, philosophy, and history, as well as medicine, psychology, and journalism, Ann Jefferson examines the ways in which the idea of genius has been ceaselessly reflected on an

Ann Jefferson is professor of French literature at the University of Oxford and fellow and tutor in French at New College, Oxford. Her books include Reading Realism in Stendhal and Biography and the Question of Literature in France.

"[Ann Jefferson] outlines for the first time a body of writings on genius in France that have tended to be overlooked until now."--Celine Surprenant, Times Literary Supplement "The precise linguistic, literary, and sociocultural analysis with which she supports this wide-ranging exploration of intellectual history provides compelling evidence for her contention that there is value in taking into account the particular language and cultural tradition within which ideas are expressed."--Jessica Goodman, French Studies "Ann Jefferson in Genius in France offers a genial and genial meditation on the question, focusing on a country that probably uses the word more than any other."--Andrew Martin, Literary Review