Pierre Lafon papers
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of contracts, theatre bills, marriage documents, letters, totalling 47 items, which span the years 1797 - 1838. Among the letters of particular interest are those from Lafon addressed to Lucien Bonaparte and to the latter's successor as Minister of the Interior, Chaptal; and to Maherault who directed for the government the affairs of the Comedie Francaise. Most of Lafon's letters complain of injustices, of the jealousies and intrigues of associates, and request various favors and dispensations. An amusing item is Lafon's letter to the actor Talma written probably in 1803, regretting the prominence with which Talma's name appeared on advertising posters. The collection is in French and is filed chronologically.
Dates
- Creation: 1797-1838
Creator
- Lafon, Pierre, 1773-1846 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.
Collection is open for use.
Conditions Governing Use
Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.
Biographical Note
Pierre Lafon or Lafond was born in Lalinde in the Dordogne on September 1, 1773, the son of Jean Lafond and Marie Gertrude Dretchene. By March 1797 he was under contract to play for a year in the troupe of the Theatre de Nice. In May 1800 he made his debut in Paris at the reorganized Comedie Francaise playing in Racine's "Iphigenie." He had lessons in acting from Dugazon, won the protection of Lucien Bonaparte, and enjoyed such success that he received an invitation from Napoleon to dine at the Tuileries. In September 1800 he was notified of his right to membership in the troupe of the Comedie Francaise. He retired from the stage in 1831. In this collection two children are mentioned: a son, Achille, an Army officer, and a daughter who was a painter. Pierre Lafon died in 1846.
Extent
0.167 Cubic Feet (1 document box)
Language of Materials
French
Abstract
Pierre Lafon or Lafond was a French stage actor born in Lalinde in the Dordogne on September 1, 1773.The collection consists of contracts, theatre bills, marriage documents, letters, totalling 47 items, which span the years 1797 - 1838.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was purchased in 1952 by Johns Hopkins University from J.K. Fletcher, Ltd., London, and was catalogued in about 1955.
Bibliography
Processing Information
This is no known processing information for this collection.
Subject
- Comédie-Française (Organization)
- Lafon, Pierre, 1773-1846 (Person)
- Bonaparte, Lucien, prince de Canino, 1775-1840 (Person)
- Mahérault, Marie Joseph François, 1795-1879 (Person)
- Title
- Pierre Lafon papers
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA
specialcollections@lists.jhu.edu