Bronze medal of French academician Fernand Gregh

Description

Bronze medal, 50 mm diameter, 62 grs. First Prize 1886 from Vanves-Gymnasium, fourth quarter of classical year, fourth class, first in three consecutive compositions, signed Brenet. Fernand Gregh (1873-1960) was a French poet and literary critic elected to the French Academy in 1953. Son of composer Louis Gregh (1843-1915), he studied at Michelet-Gymnasium, then Lycée Louis-le-Grand where Marcel Proust was his classmate. In 1890 he won first prize in French composition at the general competition, then studied philosophy at the Sorbonne. As a young man he frequented the salon of Mme Arman de Caillavet, where he collaborated with Proust. In 1892 he founded the journal Le Banquet, publishing his early verses and those of Proust, as well as writings by Daniel Halévy, Robert de Flers, Jacques Bizet, and others. He founded the Humanist School in 1902 to restore poetry to its Hugolian tradition and Lamartinian romanticism, opposing Symbolism and Parnassianism. Married Henriette Hayem in 1903. President of the Society of Men of Letters 1949-1950. Elected to French Academy 1953. Father of François-Didier Gregh and Geneviève Gregh (first wife of Maurice Druon).