A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Bernard, (Catherine)
BERNARD, (CATHERINE) born of Protestant Parents, in 1662, died at Paris, 1712,
Seems to have inherited her wit and elegant taste, for she was nearly related to those great models of French poetry Corneille and Fontenelle, with whom she constantly corresponded. It has been supposed, that, in her dramatic writings, she received assistance from the latter: however that may be, his friendship was an honour, and her fine abilities were conspicuous in many things in which she must have depended on herself.
She composed two tragedies, Leodamie, printed in 1690, which had but indifferent success; and Brutus, in 1692, which was received with great applause. By the advice of her friend, Madame Pontechartrain, from whom she received a pension, she renounced the theatre: Lewis XIV. also granted her a pension of 600 livres (about 25 pounds); but, not being well paid, she explained that matter to the king in some very elegant verses. She many times obtained the poetical prize at the French academy. Her pieces are printed in their collections for 1691, 1695, and 1697. She was also three times crowned with flowers at Toulouse, and received into the academy of the Ricovrati, at Padua. She wrote many pretty novels. Voltaire did not disdain to borrow a thought from her play of Brutus. Towards the end of her life she suppressed many poetical pieces written in her youth, which she thought not likely to be useful; and though offered a considerable sum, would not consent to their publication.