Henri BERGSON Autographed letter signed 1884 Clermont Gannat Vichy

  
Clermont Ferrand, July 11 [1884]. One in-8 page on a double sheet.

An opening of 2 cm on the central fold, insignificant. Discoloration of the paper at the edges and the 4th page of the sheet. Size: 21 x 13.5 cm / Envelope size: 11 x 14.5 cm. Rare letter from the young Bergson, appointed professor at the Lycée David d'Angers in 1881.

Two years later, he is transferred to the Lycée Blaise-Pascal in Clermont-Ferrand. Bergson writes to his fellow student, a Philosophy professor at the Lycée de Montluçon. It’s agreed, I will leave here on Sunday morning at 7:25 to Gannat, where this train only stops for a few minutes (at 8:31). In case, for one reason or another, you miss me in Gannat, we could meet in Vichy, Hôtel de la Poste, rue de Paris. Léon Sautreaux graduated from the École Normale Supérieure at the same time as Bergson in the letters section in 1878.

He will have a discreet career as a philosophy professor at the Lycée de Grenoble. Bergson will intervene on his behalf in 1924 with the Grand Chancellor so that he may be awarded the Legion of Honor: “I believe, for my part, that this life of work, effort, and devotion to the University deserves to be rewarded by the cross of the Legion of Honor.” École Normale Supérieure, class of 1881 - Science - Léon Sautreaux, profile in the second row from the right.

Source: Lucienne, Digital Library of ENS-PSL.