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."