Senancour was born in Paris in 1770, the only child of devout Catholic parents. The family enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle, and his father, who regretted not having joined the church, set his sights on a clerical career for his son. Although his parents were an ill match, they shared religious piety and dedicated themselves to grooming their son to enter the priesthood. Senancour was an intelligent and sickly child. He studied for four years at the Collège de la Marche before being sent to study with a country priest. The years at school were unpleasant for young Étienne. He did not adapt well to his peer group: he chose reading over socializing, developing a morose personality and a love of solitude. In the oppressive atmospheres of both home and school, Senancour found refuge in his…
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Citation: Verhey, Melissa. "Étienne Pivert de Senancour". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 03 September 2015 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=13568, accessed 24 April 2024.]
