Marius Leblond (Georges Athénas)

Biography

Marius Leblond and Ary Leblond form one of the most unusual literary duos in French literature: two cousins born in Réunion in the 1870s–1880s who signed their entire body of work together under this shared pen name. Marius Leblond is the literary name of Georges Athénas (born 1877) and Ary Leblond that of Aimé Merlo (born 1880). They met up again in Paris, where they became journalists, critics and novelists.

Their novel “En France” won them the Prix Goncourt in 1909, an accolade that brought them national recognition. Their work combines colonial narratives, descriptions of Réunion and the theorising of a French “colonial literature”, which they defended as legitimate and necessary. Although some of their positions on colonisation are criticised today in the light of postcolonial studies, their work remains a record of its time and of a Réunionese view of early 20th-century France. They also wrote several biographies and critical essays. Their path between Réunion and Paris illustrates the trajectory of the Creole intellectuals of their generation.

Contribution

Literary duo awarded the 1909 Prix Goncourt (“En France”); novelists and critics who championed a French colonial literature from Réunion; authors of many narratives and essays.

Legacy

The first Prix Goncourt awarded to Réunionese authors; witnesses to the trajectory of Creole intellectuals in the early 20th century; their work is read in the context of postcolonial studies.