Legends of the Bastille (ePub)

Frantz Funck-Brentano (1862-1947) was a renowned French historian and librarian affiliated with the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal in Paris. Born in Luxembourg to a family with German heritage, he became a naturalized French citizen and dedicated his life to the study of French history and culture. Funck-Brentano made significant contributions to the Romantic historiography of France, focusing notably on the Ancien Régime, the French Revolution, and the infamous Bastille prison. His scholarship is characterized by a narrative flair and a penchant for anecdotes that bring historical episodes to life. His works reflect a vast erudition and a particular interest in unveiling the myths and legends surrounding historical events and figures. Notably, his book 'Legends of the Bastille' (published in 1900), approaches the storming of the Bastille from a historiographical perspective, dispelling myths that had accrued over time. The work is notable for its accessible prose style and its meticulous research, which helped demystify one of the pivotal events in French history. Funck-Brentano's literary style combines the rigor of academic research with the elements of storytelling, making his histories appealing to both scholars and general readers. His legacy lies in his ability to intertwine scholarly discourse with the enchantment of narrative, thereby broadening the popular understanding of French national history.