Édouard Champion

Édouard Jean-Marie Champion (10 October 1882 – 27 February 1938) was a French publisher, bookseller, author, and literary historian based in Paris. He managed the publishing house and bookstore , served as the official historiographer of the Comédie-Française, and was the founder and first curator of the art museum .

Early life and family Édouard Jean-Marie Champion was born on 10 October 1882 in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. He was the son of Honoré Champion (1846–1913), a prominent bookseller and publisher, and Émelie Antoinette Gérard. His older brother, (1880–1942), became a noted historian of medieval Paris, Joan of Arc, and Louis XI.

On 13 November 1915, Champion married Julia Hunt (1876–1958) in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

During World War I, Champion served as a reserve lieutenant in the 26th Battalion of Chasseurs à pied (1914–1919).

In 1927, Champion succeeded Alexandre Joannidès as historiographer of the Comédie-Française, publishing annual multi-volume reference registers documenting the daily repertoire and history of the theater.

Champion edited and published the limited-edition series Les Amis d'Édouard sont les plus aimables amis du monde ("Édouard's friends are the most amiable friends in the world"), a set of 166 pamphlets named after a phrase coined by Anatole France. He was elected a member of the Société académique du Touquet-Paris-Plage in 1930 and served as First Deputy Mayor under Mayors Léon Soucaret and Jules Pouget.

On 9 July 1932, Champion inaugurated the and served as its first curator. He promoted the resort town, and invited literary, artistic, and theatrical figures, including Josephine Baker, Tristan Bernard, Henry Bordeaux, Sacha Guitry, Serge Lifar, W. Somerset Maugham, Mistinguett, Paul Morand, and Maurice Ravel. In 1935, he published the historical booklet Les Phares du Touquet au siècle dernier. Upon his death, he bequeathed his collection of paintings to the museum, which was later renamed the Musée Édouard Champion.

Death and legacy Champion died after a prolonged illness on 27 February 1938 in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, at the age of 55. His funeral took place on 3 March 1938 at the Church of Saint-Pierre-de-Chaillot in Paris. Attendees who spoke at his funeral included writer Jean Tharaud (for the Société des Gens de Lettres), critic Henry Malherbe, Mayor Jules Pouget of Le Touquet, and Édouard Bourdet, Administrator-General of the Comédie-Française. He was buried in Montparnasse Cemetery.

Honors and awards Legion of Honour: Appointed Chevalier (Knight) on 28 March 1922 (Ministry proposal 20 March 1922); promoted to Officer on 4 October 1927. Croix de guerre 1914–1918: Cited in division orders (7 June 1916) and battalion orders (30 July 1916). The municipality of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage named a street, Allée Édouard Champion, in his honor.

Selected works