1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Nisard, Jean Marie Napoleon Désiré

NISARD, JEAN MARIE NAPOLEON DÉSIRÉ (1806–1888), French author and critic, was born at Châtillon-sur-Seine on the 20th of March 1806. In 1826 he joined the staff of the Journal des Débats, but subsequently transferred his pen to the National. Under the empire he was inspector-general of education (1852) and director of the École normale (1857–1867). His literary reputation was effectually established by his Histoire de la littérature française (1844–1861), which secured his election to the Academy (1850). His other works include Études d’histoire el de littérature (1859–1864), and Les Quatres grands historiens latins (1875). In all his books he vigorously supported the claims of classicism against romanticism. He died at San Remo on the 27th of March 1888.