La Harpe, JEAN FRANÇOIS DE

La Harpe, JEAN FRANÇOIS DE, French writer, born at Paris, November 20, 1739, first attracted attention in 1763 by a successful tragedy, Warwick. His fame was further enhanced by a series of eloquent Elogs. But his other plays on the classic model, such as Timoléon, Pharamond, and Gustave Wasa, entirely failed. Mélanie, Philoctète, and Coriolan were more successful. His best-known works are, however, his critical lectures, published in 12 vols. (1799-1805) as Lycée, ou Cours de Littérature, which long remained a standard of literary criticism. That portion which relates to ancient literature is of little value, and that which treats of contemporary writers is entirely worthless, owing to the bitterness and pride of the critic; but the intervening portion gives a fairly complete critical history of French literature. His Correspondance Littéraire, published in 1801, by the bitterness of its criticisms rekindled fierce controversies. The Revolution, at its commencement, found no more ardent admirer than La Harpe; but after five months' imprisonment for refusing to countenance the extremes to which the immoderate zealots of the movement pushed matters his views entirely changed, and he became a firm supporter of church and crown. A posthumous work, La Vision de Cazotte, must be ranked amongst the best achievements of his pen. His graceful style and keenness of observation are perhaps more than counterbalanced by his partiality, vehemence of judgment, and superficiality. La Harpe died February 11, 1803. See Sainte-Beuve, Causeries du Lundi, vol. v.