Émile ZOLA supports the Russian translator Halpérine-Kaminsky.

Emile Zola (1840.1902)

Autograph letter signed to Marcellin Berthelot.

Two pages in-8°. Collector's stamp partially crossed out.

Slnd [late 1895, early 1896]

“He was one of the initiators and one of the most zealous architects of the intellectual union between France and Russia. »

As president of the Committee of the Society of Gens of Letters, Émile Zola gave his strong support to Ely Halpérine-Kaminsky's request to the ministry.

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“To Mr. Berthelot, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Minister, I would like to strongly recommend to your high kindness Mr. Halpérine-Kaminsky, who has rendered real services to French writers. As president of the Committee of the Society of People of Letters, I was able to appreciate the excellent results, from the point of view of literary property, which he obtained in Russia, where our literary and artistic societies, as well as the unions of The publishers had delegated him to defend their interests. These results, moreover, were publicly noted by the French and foreign press. All international literary congresses have voted their thanks to him, and our ambassador in Saint Petersburg himself spoke highly of the success of the delicate mission entrusted to him. I would add that Mr. Halpérine-Kaminsky introduced us, through his studies and his numerous translations, to the masterpieces of Russian literature. As a publicist, as press office attaché at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally as a Russian language teacher at the Lycée Condorcet, he was one of the initiators and one of the most zealous architects of the intellectual union between France and Russia . I can therefore only very warmly support the request he wishes to make to you to obtain a position abroad, a position in which he will certainly be able to make himself as useful as in the past to France, his adopted country . Please accept, Mr. Minister, the assurance of my highest consideration. Emile Zola. President of the Committee of the Society of People of Letters. “

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Ely Halpérine-Kaminsky (1856.1936), naturalized French in 1890, was one of the greatest Franco-Russian translators of the late 19th century.