Bernstein, Henry

PLAYWRIGHT, THEATRE MANAGER (FRANCE)
BORN 20 Jan 1876, Paris - DIED 27 Nov 1953, Paris
GRAVE LOCATION Paris: Passy Cimetière, 2 Rue du Commandant Schloesing (division 11)

Henry Bernstein was the son of a Jewish banker. He studied in Cambridge and inherited his mother´s fortune. As a playwright he debuted in 1900 with "Le Marché". His comedy "Frère Jacques", a collaboration with Pierre Véber, established his reputation and it was performed in the USA. "Après moi" (1911) protested against antisemitism in France but after its premiere resulted in riots it was withdrawn. In "Mélo" (1929) he used film techniques.

He couldn't stand criticism and on 20 May 1938 he fought a duel with the sword against Edouard Bourdet of the Comédie Française. It ended with a slight arm wound for Bourdet.

His "Elvire" (1940) was aimed against the nazis. When the Germans occupied France he fled to the USA where he campaigned against them and the Vichy government. He lived in New York at the Waldorf-Astoria. After the war he returned to Paris where he continued his career. He died there in 1953.

Related persons
• has a connection with Brooks, Romaine
• was painted by Manet, Édouard

Images

The grave of Henri Bernstein at Passy Cimetière, Paris.
Picture by Androom (18 May 2005)

 

Sources
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Henri Bernstein — Wikipédia


Bernstein, Leonard

Published: 23 Oct 2016
Last update: 01 Jun 2020