The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

February 18, 2018

February 18, 1855

Jean Jules Jusserand (February 18, 1855 to July 18, 1932) was a French scholar and diplomat. The American Historical Association describes his significance this way:

'Jean J. Jusserand ...was Ambassador Extraordinary to the United States in the first quarter of the 20th century, where he played a critical part in drawing the U.S. into the First World War. He authored English Wayfaring Life in the Middle Ages (1889), A Literary History of the English People (1895-1909), and With Americans of Past and Present Days (1916), which won the first Pulitzer Prize for History in 1917.'
From his bibliography, the AHA also notes:

'English essays from a French pen...1895; ...
Shakespeare in France under the ancien régime
..1899.
Ronsard...1913
What me befell; the reminiscences of J. J. Jusserand..1933....''

As an example of his critical treatment of 
the English poet, John Skelton, we quote from 
A Literary history of the English people:

'Skelton... draws his inspiration from the most refined and from the most barbarous models; he is a true transition poet: the Middle Ages and the Renaissance are united in his verse.'

Among the examples of Skelton's poetry is this from 
"The boke of Phyllyp Sparowe."

'... My disport and play 
From me was taken away 
By Gyb our cat savage, 
That in a furyous rage, 
Caught Phyllyp by the head, 
And slew him there starke dead. 
Kyrie Eleison 
Christe Eleison. 
Thereupon prayers are said for his soul! 

Skelton, according to Jusserand, was "one of the strangest minds of this strange epoch." 



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