Arsène Houssaye

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-07-05 Diary Coverage: Up to 1874-02-01

Identity

French novelist and critic (1815-1896), wrote popular books about royal mistresses and courtesans.

Diary References

1874

• January 16: Marie reading his scandalous books, mother disapproves
• February 1: Finishes "La Vallière," finds him monotonous but readable
• Plans to read "Les courtisanes du monde" alternating with Dickens

1873

• Multiple references to his books on courtesans

Literary Context

• Director of Comédie-Française
• Wrote romanticized histories of royal mistresses
• Popular with young women despite scandalous subjects
• Marie uses his work to understand aristocratic romance