Charles-Augustin Sainte-Beuve

Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve stands as a pivotal figure in French literary history, celebrated for his incisive criticism. He championed the idea that understanding an author's biography was essential to truly grasping their work, a philosophy that significantly shaped literary analysis. His extensive essays, notably collected in volumes like 'Port-Royal', delved deeply into literature, religious history, and the philosophy of history. Sainte-Beuve's approach offered a unique lens through which to view the intricate relationship between an artist's life and their creative output.