Émile Zola: Biography and “J’accuse…!”
Émile Zola: A Brief Biography
Émile Zola was born in Paris. His father died early, and he had to work to overcome serious economic difficulties. In 1862, he wrote his first book and collaborated on the literary sections of several newspapers. He married Alexandrine Mélay in 1870. Zola began to meet people with such prestige as Édouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, and the brothers Edmond and Jules Goncourt. He became the head of the Naturalist movement.
The Dreyfus Affair and “J’accuse…!”
On January 13, 1898, Zola published his famous “J’accuse…!” (Letter to the President of the Republic) in the newspaper L’Aurore. This open letter, addressing the Dreyfus Affair, led to a defamation lawsuit. He was sentenced to one year in prison and a substantial fine. To avoid imprisonment, he went into exile in London.
Zola’s Death
On September 29, 1902, Zola died of asphyxiation in his home due to a blocked chimney. Although officially ruled an accidental death, doubts remain about the circumstances, given his many enemies.
Émile Zola was born in Paris. His father died early, and he had to work to overcome serious economic difficulties. In 1862, he wrote his first book and collaborated on the literary sections of several newspapers. He married Alexandrine Mélay in 1870. Zola began to meet people with such prestige as Édouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, and the brothers Edmond and Jules Goncourt. He became the head of the Naturalist movement.
On January 13, 1898, Zola published his famous “J’accuse…!” (Letter to the President of the Republic) in the newspaper L’Aurore. This open letter, addressing the Dreyfus Affair, led to a defamation lawsuit. He was sentenced to one year in prison and a substantial fine. To avoid imprisonment, he went into exile in London.
On September 29, 1902, Zola died of asphyxiation in his home due to a blocked chimney. Although officially ruled an accidental death, doubts remain about the circumstances, given his many enemies.
Émile Zola was born in Paris. His father died early, and he had to work to overcome serious economic difficulties. In 1862, he wrote his first book and collaborated on the literary sections of several newspapers. He married Alexandrine Mélay in 1870. Zola began to meet people with such prestige as Édouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, and the brothers Edmond and Jules Goncourt. He became the head of the Naturalist movement.
On January 13, 1898, Zola published his famous “J’accuse…!” (Letter to the President of the Republic) in the newspaper L’Aurore. This open letter, addressing the Dreyfus Affair, led to a defamation lawsuit. He was sentenced to one year in prison and a substantial fine. To avoid imprisonment, he went into exile in London.
On September 29, 1902, Zola died of asphyxiation in his home due to a blocked chimney. Although officially ruled an accidental death, doubts remain about the circumstances, given his many enemies.
Émile Zola was born in Paris. His father died early, and he had to work to overcome serious economic difficulties. In 1862, he wrote his first book and collaborated on the literary sections of several newspapers. He married Alexandrine Mélay in 1870. Zola began to meet people with such prestige as Édouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, and the brothers Edmond and Jules Goncourt. He became the head of the Naturalist movement.
On January 13, 1898, Zola published his famous “J’accuse…!” (Letter to the President of the Republic) in the newspaper L’Aurore. This open letter, addressing the Dreyfus Affair, led to a defamation lawsuit. He was sentenced to one year in prison and a substantial fine. To avoid imprisonment, he went into exile in London.
On September 29, 1902, Zola died of asphyxiation in his home due to a blocked chimney. Although officially ruled an accidental death, doubts remain about the circumstances, given his many enemies.