Albert Delpit (January 30, 1849 – January 4, 1893) was a French novelist and playwright.
Biography
Born in 1849 in New Orleans, Albert Delpit was the son of a wealthy tobacco merchant, Jean Adrien Delpit (1806–1883), and Marie Félicité Plaix (1822–1876). He came to France at a young age to study in Paris and Bordeaux. He initially worked for magazines established by Alexandre Dumas père, such as Le Mousquetaire and Le d’Artagnan, while beginning to write his own works.
During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, he served voluntarily and wrote a collection of verses titled L’Invasion (1870), which achieved great success. The French Academy awarded him the Prix Montyon in 1871, the Prix de poésie in 1873, and the Prix Vitet in 1880. His American nationality saved him from death during the Paris Commune; he served as an aide-de-camp to Admiral Saisset, who attempted mediation. In 1883, he engaged in a duel with Alphonse Daudet, accusing him of various literary offenses.
Delpit became a French citizen in 1892. He died on January 5, 1893, at his residence in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, and was buried in the Montmartre Cemetery (28th division).
