Stendhal, 1783-1842

Stendhal (1783-1842) was a French writer, best known for the novels Le rouge et le noir (The Red and the Black) and La Chartreuse de Parme (The Charterhouse of Parma), as well as On Love and shorter works such as Vanina Vanini. He also wrote autobiographical and art-historical works, including Vie de Henri Brulard, Souvenirs d'égotisme and Histoire de la peinture en Italie. His writing is noted for its subtle and dispassionate psychological portrayal, often revealing inner conflicts of love, ambition and social circumstance. The Red and the Black and The Charterhouse of Parma are often regarded as important works of nineteenth-century French realist fiction. The available records provide limited public information about his life, so this note focuses on the themes and style of his works rather than unverified biographical detail.