The members of the French Academy proceeded, Thursday, January 28, to the election of the successor of Jean d'Ormesson, who died in 2017, who occupied the chair n ° 12.
They elected the novelist and essayist Chantal Thomas in the first ballot by 12 votes against 3 for the lexicologist Jean Pruvost and 1 for the singer-songwriter Philippe Chatel.
Only 24 academics were able to participate in the ballot, including 8 who voted blank.
[French Academy]
The French Academy (24 voters), in its session of Thursday January 28, proceeded to the election to the chair of Mr. Jean d'Ormesson (F12).
Ms. Chantal Thomas was elected on the first ballot by 12 votes.
➡️https: //t.co/6tH2Ckhka7 pic.twitter.com/VbtaVmF5AO
- Institut de France (@InstitutFrance) January 28, 2021
Chantal Thomas becomes at the age of 75 the tenth academician in history since the election of Marguerite Yourcenar in 1980. She is a specialist in the Age of Enlightenment, with essays on Sade, Casanova and Marie-Antoinette.
"She is also the author of short stories, stories, plays and novels, including 'Farewell to the Queen', a book translated into twenty languages, and for which she was awarded the Femina 2002 prize", recalled the Academy on its website.
She is an admirer of the semiologist Roland Barthes, who had directed his doctoral thesis on Sade, and of the Austrian novelist and playwright Thomas Bernhard.
The candidacy of Jean Pruvost, an academic recognized for his in-depth knowledge of the French language, had been welcomed by some outside the French Academy.
He could be represented there quickly, since there are six vacant seats out of the 40.
With AFP
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