Alcée Fortier

Alcée Fortier (June 5, 1856 – February 14, 1914) was a renowned Professor of Romance Languages at Tulane University in New Orleans. In the late 19th and early 20th century, he published numerous works on language, literature, Louisiana history and folklore, Louisiana Creole languages, and personal reminiscence. He had French Creole ancestry dating to the colonial period.

He became president of the Modern Language Association and the Louisiana Historical Society, was appointed to the State Board of Education, and was active in the American Folklore Society and the New Orleans Academy of Sciences.

Early life and education Fortier was born in St. James Parish, on Petit Versailles Plantation, which was owned by his maternal grandfather Valcour Aime and had long been cultivated for sugar cane. Alcée Fortier was the son of Florent-Louis Fortier and Marie-Edwige Aime. His father and grandfathers were sugar cane planters of French Creole ancestry. The Fortier family had been in the Louisiana territory since the early 18th century, when it was a French colony. The families were prominent in the social and political life of the parish and the state. Serious illness prevented him from completing his studies there. Fortier returned to New Orleans and read law, then started working as a clerk.

Career Fortier taught French in the city high school for a time. He was hired as principal in the preparatory department of the University of Louisiana. He was a contributor to the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Works Books Sept grands auteurs du dix-neuvième siècle, 1899. Histoire de la Littérature Française Louisiana Folk Tales: In French Dialect and English Translation, 1895. Louisiana Studies: Literature, Customs and Dialects, History and Education, New Orleans: F.F. Hansell & Bro., 1894. A History of Louisiana, New York: Manzi, Joyant & Co., 1904. Louisiana; Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons. Atlanta: Southern Historical Association, 1909. The Louisiana Sugar Planters of the Old Regime. New Orleans, 1914.

Papers presented to the Modern Language Association: "The French Language in Louisiana and the Negro-French Dialect" "The French Literature of Louisiana" "Bits of Louisiana Folk Lore", 1887 "The Acadians of Louisiana and Their Dialect" "The Yalinos [Isleños] of Louisiana and Their Dialect"

Legacy and honors Fortier was significant in the study of French language and literature in Louisiana and the United States, as well as the study of Louisiana Creole dialects - he did work in Louisiana Creole, Cajun and Isleño forms.

His name is remembered in New Orleans: Alcée Fortier Hall, Tulane University Alcée Fortier High School Alcée Fortier Street, in New Orleans East Alcée Fortier Park at Esplanade Avenue and Mystery Street