Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Mérimée, Prosper

MÉRIMÉE, PROSPER (mā-rē-mā′), a French author; born in Paris, France, Sept, 28, 1803. He studied law, but never practiced; was senator in 1853. His best known works were the two novels, "Colomba" (1830), treating of the Corsican vendetta; and "Carmen" (1840), which furnished the plot of Bizet's opera of the same name. He wrote besides: "Plays of Clara Gazul" (1825); "Historic Monuments" (1843); "Historic and Literary Medleys" (1855), a collection of comedies in the style of the Spanish "intermezzo"; "Guzla" (1827), a collection of Illyrian lyrics; "Mateo Falconne," a novel; "Letters to an Unknown" ("Letters à Une Inconnue"; 1873); etc. He died in Cannes, France, Sept. 23, 1870.