Where Are the Women at The French Academy?

Abstract

The entry of women into the French Academy reveals the recognition of the current evolutions of the society. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate where women have been located at the French Academy over the years. The first part recalls itscreation, the importance of its missions, the Dictionary and the prizes awarded by the Academy. Following, we analyse the history of women at the French Academy, and three of its female members: Marguerite Yourcenar, Assia Djebar and Simone Veil. We also present the recent process of feminization of names which accompanies the admission of women into the Academy.