Welcome to the world of Émile Littré, an influential figure in the evolution of the French language, philosophy, and lexicography. Born on February 1, 1801, in Paris, Littré’s life journey is a tapestry of intellectual pursuit and dedication to knowledge. His father, Michel-François Littré, was a sergeant-major in the French Navy and was deeply inspired by the revolutionary ideas of his time. This early exposure to progressive thought shaped Émile’s worldview and future endeavors.
Littré’s education was extensive; he mastered English, German, Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit, and studied medicine before dedicating his life to the study of language and philosophy. Despite not completing his medical degree due to his father’s death, Littré’s scholarly pursuits never waned. His contributions to the world of lexicography are monumental, with his masterpiece, the ‘Dictionnaire de la langue française,’ standing as a cornerstone of French linguistic history. Spanning four volumes, this dictionary, often referred to simply as ‘le Littré,’ meticulously documents the historical meanings and evolution of French words, providing an authoritative resource for scholars and language enthusiasts alike.
Littré was a close friend of Auguste Comte, the founder of positivism, a philosophy that asserts that all meaningful statements are either a priori propositions or empirically verifiable. Littré became a fervent disciple of Comte and dedicated much of his work to the propagation of positivist philosophy, although he later distanced himself from Comte’s more mystical views after Comte’s death.
In 1871, amidst some controversy over his materialist views, Littré was elected to the prestigious Académie Française, a testament to his significant contributions to French literature and language. He continued to serve as a senator for life from 1875, reaffirming his influence in both academic and political spheres.
Littré’s story is not only one of intellectual achievement but also of resilience and dedication. His life’s work highlights the importance of language as a living entity, constantly evolving and shaping the cultures it touches. As you pass by the streets of Paris, imagine Littré diligently working on his dictionary, surrounded by the rich history of France, contributing to the legacy of the French language that continues to thrive today.
