Stendhal

Stendhal (1783–1842), born Marie-Henri Beyle in Grenoble, France, was a pioneer of literary realism. After serving in Napoleon’s army and traveling extensively, he turned to writing, producing novels, biographies, and travelogues. His major works include The Red and the Black (1830) and The Charterhouse of Parma (1839), both celebrated for their incisive psychological analysis and critique of post-Napoleonic society. Stendhal’s style, marked by irony and a focus on inner emotional life, influenced later realists and modernists. He coined the term “Beylism” to describe his pursuit of happiness through passion and intellect. Though underappreciated in his lifetime, he is now regarded as a foundational figure in the development of the modern novel.