Alfred Capus
A witty French journalist and playwright whose sophisticated comedies captured the optimistic spirit of the Belle Époque with a shrug and a smile.
1858–1922 (age 64)·French journalist and playwright·Birthday: November 25
Biography
Alfred Capus embodied the clever, urbane spirit of Paris at the turn of the century. He began as an engineer, then a journalist, his sharp observations and easy wit finding a perfect home in the newspapers and theaters of the Belle Époque. His plays, like 'La Veine' and 'Les Deux Écoles', were not grand tragedies but sparkling comedies of manners that celebrated luck, opportunity, and the art of navigating high society with charm. Capus had a philosophy he termed 'optimistic determinism,' a belief that things had a way of working out for those who stayed good-humored and adaptable. This worldview resonated deeply with a France enjoying peace and prosperity, making him one of the most popular dramatists of his day. His success in the theater led him back to journalism in a powerful way, eventually becoming the editor of the major newspaper *Le Figaro*. Capus mastered the light touch, proving that insight could be delivered with a smile.
#1 When Alfred Was Born
The biggest hits of 1858
Alfred's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1858Born
1863Started school
President: Abraham Lincoln
1871Became a teenager
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1874Could drive
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1876Could vote
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1879Turned 21
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
1888Turned 30
President: Grover Cleveland
1898Turned 40
Spanish-American War; US emerges as a world power
President: William McKinley
1908Turned 50
Ford Model T goes into production
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1918Turned 60
World War I ends; Spanish flu pandemic kills millions
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Died at 64
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
Key Achievements
- Elected to the Académie française in 1914, cementing his status as a leading literary figure.
- Served as the editor-in-chief of the prestigious newspaper *Le Figaro* from 1914 until his death.
- Authored numerous successful plays, including 'La Veine' and 'Les Deux Écoles', defining the comedy of the Belle Époque.
- Was a prolific journalist and chronicler of Parisian society for publications like *L'Écho de Paris*.
Did You Know?
Before writing, he worked as an engineer and contributed to the construction of the railway line from Nice to Menton.
He was a close friend of fellow playwright Tristan Bernard.
During World War I, his leadership of *Le Figaro* was noted for maintaining a patriotic yet measured tone.
His entry into the Académie française was notably uncontested, a rare occurrence for the institution.
“Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out.”
