BECQUE

becque, henry francois (1837-1899), french dramatist, was born on the 9th of april 1837 in paris. he wrote the book of an opera _sardanapale_ in imitation of lord byron for the music of m. victorin joncieres in 1867, but his first important work, _michel pauper_, appeared in 1870. the importance of this sombre drama was first realized when it was revived at the odeon in 1886. _les corbeaux_ (1882) established becque's position as an innovator, and in 1885 he produced his most successful play, _la parisienne_. becque produced little during the last years of his life, but his disciples carried on the tradition he had created. he died in may 1899. see his _querelles litteraires_ (1890), and _souvenirs d'un auteur dramatique_ (1895), consisting chiefly of reprinted articles in which he does not spare his opponents. his _theatre complet_ (3 vols., 1899) includes _l'enfant prodigue_ (vaudeville theatre, 6th of nov. 1868); _michel pauper_ (theatre de la porte-saint-martin, 17th of june 1870); _l'enlevement_ (vaudeville, 18th of nov. 1871); _la navette_ (gymnase, 15th of nov. 1878); _les honnetes femmes_ (gymnase, 1st of jan. 1880); _les corbeaux_ (comedie francaise, 14th of sept. 1882); _la parisienne_ (theatre de la renaissance, 7th of feb. 1885).