Paul d' Estrée

Paul d'Estrée was the pen name of Henri Quentin, a French writer and historian born in Paris on January 6, 1838, and died there on December 9, 1922. He wrote extensively on French history and literary life, especially the 18th century, the Revolutionary era, and the culture of the stage.

His work drew heavily on memoirs, correspondence, and archival documents, which gave his books a strong documentary feel while keeping them readable and animated. Among the subjects he explored were the Marshal de Richelieu, the Duchess of Aiguillon, Hébert and the Commune of Paris, and the hidden or marginal figures of older French society.

He published a large body of work and was recognized more than once by the Académie française. For listeners who enjoy historical nonfiction with a literary touch, his writing offers a window into the scandals, institutions, and personalities of France's past.