Decadence, and Other Essays on the Culture of Ideas (eBook)

Remy de Gourmont (1858–1915) was a pivotal figure in the Symbolist movement and one of the most influential thinkers of his time. A French essayist, novelist, and critic, he is best remembered for his explorations of philosophy, art, and literature. Born in Bazoches-au-Houlme, Normandy, he initially pursued a career at the French National Library in Paris, which provided a vast repository of knowledge that would inform his literary work. De Gourmont's seminal collection 'Decadence, and Other Essays on the Culture of Ideas' encapsulates his deep concern with the declining artistry and intellect of society, which he believed was symptomatic of a broader cultural malaise. As a literary critic, he was associated with the Mercure de France, where he developed the aesthetic doctrines that would shape his thought. His style is marked by an elegance and an incisive wit, used to dissect contemporary cultural trends. De Gourmont was a champion of individualism and the subjective imagination, advocating for the freedom of thought against the constraints of moralism and rationalism. His influence was not confined to France; he also counted among his admirers the likes of Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot. Despite a bout with syphilis which impacted his later life and works, de Gourmont remained an intellectual force until his death in Paris in 1915. His contributions to the world of ideas continue to provoke thought and debate among scholars and lovers of literature alike.