13 Facts About Henriette Renan

Henriette Renan's father was captain of a small cutter and a staunch Republican.

Henriette Renan's mother was only half-Breton since her paternal ancestors hailed from Bordeaux.

Henriette Renan's mother's father was a royalist tradesman from the neighbouring town of Lannion.

Henriette Renan was 17 years old when her father died and she became the head of the household, in particular, taking responsibility for her 5-year-old brother Ernest Henriette Renan.

Henriette Renan became tutor to a Polish family with whom she toured Europe.

Henriette Renan later moved to Vienna as tutor for Count Zamoyski.

Henriette Renan wrote for Le Journal des jeunes personnes and other periodicals under pseudonyms including Emma du Guindy.

Henriette Renan had a great influence on her brother, acting as mother, sister, confidante and adviser.

Henriette Renan was more than a secretary for the works on art history conducted by her brother.

Ernest Henriette Renan relied on her research and on her numerous re-reviews and critiques of his own writings.

In 1860, Henriette Renan joined Ernest and his wife Cornelie in Lebanon while Ernest conducted archaeological investigations in both Lebanon and Syria.

Already in poor health, Henriette Renan died of malaria in Amsheet on 24 September 1861.

Henriette Renan is buried in the vault of Mikhael Bek Tobia al-Kallab in Amsheet near the church of Notre-Dame.