The Dreyfus Affair 1898
Source: Philip Kolb, Editor, Correspondance de Marcel Proust, Vol II. Paris, Plon, 1976;
Translated: for marxists.org by Mitchell Abidor.
Perhaps no single fact demonstrates how topsy-turvy France was during the Dreyfus Affair than the fact that the arch-aesthete Marcel Proust, friend of nobles, frequenter of the highest society, admirer of the royalist Jew-hater Charles Maurras, went to see the socialist Jean Jaurès give a speech in defense of the Dreyfusard cause – which Proust loudly espoused – in September 1898.
Friday, September 30, 1898
To Constantin de Brancovan
Dear Prince:
I would like to ask you if you are still going to Jaurès’ talk and if you could please pick me up and take me there.
I will perhaps telephone you.
With warmest friendship
Marcel Proust.