Poet, novelist, and dramatist, born Paris, 1842; died there, 1908. He was called the poet of the lowly. Simplicity and truth in portraying familiar scenes constitute the charm of his popular short stories. His drama is noted for lofty ideals. Two of his most successful plays in verse are "Le Passant" and "Severo Torelli." He was elected to the Academy in 1884 and founded an annual prize of 1000 francs for young poets. About 1898 he returned to the Catholic Church.