| Surname | Constant (de Rebecque) | |
| First Name | Benjamin | |
| Gender | male | |
| Place of birth | Lausanne | |
| Place of death | Paris | |
| Year of birth | 1767 | |
| Year of death | 1830 | |
| Profession | Writer, public official | |
| Religion | Protestant | |
| Place(s) of activity | ||
| Century | 19 | |
| Biographical information |
Son of Louis-Arnold-Juste (an officer in the service of Holland) and Henriette de Chandieu, who died as a result of childbirth. In 1789 he married Wilhelmine von Cramm, Lady-in-Waiting to the Duchess of Brunswick. Following Wilhelmine's death he married Charlotte de Hardenberg in 1808. He was a talented child and attended several European universities early: Oxford (1780); Erlangen (1782); and Edinburgh (1785). In 1787 he met Isabelle de Charrière in Paris. She recognized his talents and guided him in his first works. From 1778 to 1794 he was Chamberlain at the court of Brunswick. It was here that Constant met Germaine de Staël, with whom he had a romantic relationship for several years. Thanks to his connections he was able to start in politics and made himself known as a skilful defender of moderate Republicans. He attempted to guide the regime towards English-style parliamentarianism, but this only led to him being excluded from the Tribunate in 1802. In 1814 he supported the Restoration and rallied for the Charter granted by Louis XVIII; while during the Hundred Days he backed Napoleon and a constitution even more liberal than the Charter. He was the author of a large body of work in the fields of both politics and literature. Through his articles in the press; by his overflowing activity in the Chamber (1819—1822 and 1824—1830); and by his publications, Constant exercised considerable influence not only in France but among all the European emancipation movements. |
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| Title | f. Mélanges | |
| Genre / Art |
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| Additional genre details | ||
| Period writen | 22 January 1804-27 December 1807 | |
| Period covered | 22 January 1804-27 December 1807 | |
| Format / Language | Autograph, french | |
| Physical description | 2 volumes : 1 ) 35 cm x 22 cm, 111 f° ; the diary is written from f° 2 r° to 86 r° ; 2) Journal abrégé : 32,5 cm x 21,5 cm, 36 f°, one page is missing between f° 35 and f° 36. |
| Content |
The writer composes substantial daily reports of his activities. He sometimes talks about his state of health and the weather. He also records his readings; he generally evaluates them and reports on the reflections which they inspired in him. He also writes about his correspondence. He takes note of his literary works and evaluates how he has worked. Regarding his social life, he notes the balls he attended. Regarding his more intimate life, he talks about the feelings that the people around him inspire in him. Finally, the diary also records some payments, e.g. for the tailor. In the second diary, called Abridged Diary and kept in parallel, the author notes in a telegraphic style the letters he has written, the main activity of his day and the place where he supped. After the death of his friend, Mrs. Talma, the writer decides to shorten the form of his diary. He then establishes an encrypted code, of which he left the key. Thus, the number 1 means "physical enjoyment", 2, "the desire to break my eternal bond which is so often referred to", 3, return to this feeling by memories or some momentary charm and 4, work. His code continues up to the number 17. |
| Place of deposit | BCUL |
| Classification | Fonds Constant II, 34/12 |
| Document | |
| Transcription | |
| Restrictions | |
| Edition(s) |
Benjamin Constant, Oeuvres complètes. Journaux intimes (1804-1807) suivis de Affaire de mon père (1811), VI, Paul Delbouille et Kurt Kloocke (éd.), Tübingen, Max Niemeyer Verlag, 2002. |
| Secondary litterature | |
| Other sources | |
| Related documents | |
| Author | SMP |
