The New International Encyclopædia/Houssaye, Arsène

HOUSSAYE, o͞o′sā̇′, Arsène (1815-96). A French author, born at Bruyères. He went to Paris at an early age, and at twenty-one became widely known as the author of two romances, La couronne de bluets and La pécheresse. He attracted attention particularly as an art critic, publishing his Histoire de la peinture flamande et hollandaise in 1846. In 1849 Houssaye was appointed director of the Comédie Française at the suggestion of Rachel, and held the place until 1856. He was a prolific writer in many departments of literature, producing poetry, dramas, romances, philosophical, historical, and critical works—the last being of especial merit. He was long editor of L'Artiste, and for some years was editor and proprietor of La Presse. Among his works are: Histoire du quarante et unième fauteuil (1845), dealing with the great men who failed of election to the French Academy; La poesie dans les bois (1845); Le voyage à ma fenêtre (1851); Le roi Voltaire (1858); Rousseau et Mme. de Warens (1864); and Les confessions (1885-91).