Academy (FRENCH an institution founded)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

FRENCH, an institution founded in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu for the purpose of refining the French language and style. It became in time the most influential of all literary societies in Europe. Together with the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres, the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences and the Academy of Sciences, it composes the National Institute of France. It published in 1694 the first edition of a dictionary. The French Academy originated in a simple meeting of friends who met at the house of Conrart, one of their number. These reunions were held informally for many years. At last they attracted the attention of Richelieu, who, in 1634, proposed to form an Academy, and, from the 13th of March in that year, a record was kept of their transactions and a director or chancellor and a perpetual secretary were appointed. The Academy was definitely formed by letters patent of Louis XIII., in January, 1635; they were registered by Parliament July 10, 1637. At first the number was 30. Ordinary members receive 1,500 francs a year. In 1880 the discussion of the qualifications of candidates which had been in vogue for more than 10 years was abolished, but restored in 1896. In 1671 the sessions of the Academy became public. See INSTITUTE OF FRANCE. ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LET- TERS, AMERICAN, an organization established in 1898. The qua qualification for membership is notable achievement in arts, music, or literature. The membership is limited to 250. The first seven members were chosen in 1917. They were William Dean Howells, Augustus Saint Gaudens, Edmund Clarence Stedman, John La Farge, Samuel Langhorn Clemens, John Hay, and Edward A. The Academy holds an- MacDowell. nually a series of public meetings in different cities of the United States. William Dean Howells, until his death in 1920, was president of the Academy, Robert Underwood Johnson was permanent secretary. In 1920 the membership list was as follows: John Singer Sargent, Daniel Chester French, John Burroughs, James Ford Rhodes, Horatio William Parker, Robert Underwood Johnson, George Washington Cable, Henry Van Dyke, Gildersleeve Twining Edwin Nelson Hastings, spective. A. N. A. FRANCE. See INSTITUTE OF FRANCE.