At the turn of the twentieth century, Emile Zola was the preeminent practitioner of the literary school of naturalism and a contributor to the development of theatrical naturalism. The French novelist, playwright, and journalist was nominated for the first and second Nobel Prize in Literature in 1901 and 1902.

Some believe the author’s most famous article led to his untimely death.

Emile Zola

Emile Zola was also a major figure of France’s political liberalization during the nineteenth century. The social reform zealot is best known for his 1898 article “J’Accuse” (French for “I Accuse.”)

Published in the L’Aurore (The Dawn) newspaper, Zola accused President Felix Faure’s government of Anti-Semitism in the unlawful imprisoning of French Jewish army officer Alfred Dreyfus on charges of treason.

Zola’s “I Accuse” Headline

Dreyfus was ultimately exonerated of all charges, in large part because of Zola’s article.

After the publication of “I Accuse,” Zola was accused of libel. He fled to England, where he remained until an amnesty enabled his return to France the following year. Shortly after Zola returned to his homeland, the Faure government fell.

The sixty-two-year-old Zola died unexpectedly on September 29, 1902, succumbing in his sleep to carbon-monoxide fumes brought about by an inadequately ventilated chimney in his Paris apartment.

Several attempts had previously been made on Zola’s life by those angered by his article. Anti-Dreyfus officials in the French government were accused of orchestrating the writer’s death, but they were never formally charged.

Zola Dies Unexpectedly

In 1953, over half-a-century after Zola’s death, an investigation published by journalist Jean Borel in the Libération newspaper Reignite claimed Zola was murdered by contending that chimney sweeper Henri Buronfosse had told people he had intentionally blocked the chimney of Zola’s apartment.

Again, no evidence was found to corroborate the claims of homicide, but some historians still believe Emile Zola‘s death resulted from foul play.

Was Emile Zola Murdered?

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3692/%C3%A9mile-zola

SOURCES:

• France Today
• History Today
• The Guardian