About this book
Séance De L'académie Française Du 2 Mai 1901 Discours De Réception De M. Berthelot; Réponse De M. Jules Lemaître by Marcellin Berthelot delivers a luminous portrait of French intellectual life at the turn of the 20th century through a landmark reception speech and the reply by critic Jules Lemaître.
Berthelot—celebrated chemist, historian of science, and newly inducted académicien—reflects on the traditions of the Académie Française, the relation between science and letters, and the debt owed to luminaries such as Claude Bernard, Taine, Victor Hugo, and Ernest Renan. Lemaître’s response adds literary perspective and the courteous tensions that define institutional oratory. Together the texts reveal themes of memory, gratitude, and the evolving role of scientific thought within France’s cultural elite. Contextual notes implicitly evoke the political and cultural currents of 1901, offering listeners insight into how science, literature, and national identity intertwined at a pivotal moment.
Ideal for listeners of historical non‑fiction, literary and intellectual history, oratory enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the Académie Française, this audiobook brings a foundational public exchange to life for modern audiences.