Educated at the College Charlemagne, Gautier was introduced to Victor Hugo who stimulated his interest in writing. He published his first volume of poetry in 1830 and followed with his second in 1832. After a number of his works caught the eye of Balzac, Gautier was offered a job at the Chronique de Paris, owned by Balzac. He subsequently held journalistic positions at Figarola Presse until 1840 when he began his many travels. He chronicled his travels to Spain in Tra los Montes. He was made a member of the French Legion of Honor. Although Gautier saw himself primarily as a poet, the majority of his work was as a journalist. He travelled extensively throughout Europe, Egypt, Algeria, Turkey and Russia and his travelogues were very popular and successful. Gautier also produced the scenarios for the ballets Giselle, Sacountala and la Peri among others. From 1856 to 1859, he was the editor of l'Artiste. Apart from his many short stories, his work included Arria Marcella (1852), le Roman de la Momie (1858), le Capitaine Fracasse (1863), Spirite (1866) and Voyage en Russie (1867). |
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