Jeanne et Michel Alexandre (Vers 1950) by InconnuBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
Jeanne Alexandre (1890–1980) and Michel Alexandre (1888–1952) were a couple of philosophers from the first half of the 20th century. Their manuscript archives (letters, notes, notebooks), as well as some photographs, are kept by the library of Nîmes. Jeanne, born Halbwachs, was the sister of sociologist Maurice Halbwachs. Michel descended from a family of senior civil servants.
Photographie d'Alain (1950-03-05) by InconnuBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
Jeanne and Michel belonged to a generation of thinkers inspired by the philosopher and teacher Alain, with whom they maintained a close friendship. In fact, Jeanne Halbwachs was his student when she prepared for the Agrégation de Lettres (an exam to become a professor) in 1909.
Michel created Libres Propos, a journal printed in Nîmes, which published Alain's Propos from 1924 to 1935. Jeanne contributed over 400 literary reviews to the journal.
Photo de la classe de Michel Alexandre (1921/1922) by Tourte & PetitinBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
The influence of their master would be reflected in their teaching, with both of them teaching at various high schools across France, including in Nîmes from 1919 to 1927, but also at Lycée Fénelon and Lycée Henri-IV in Paris, as well as in Versailles.
They mainly taught non-mixed preparatory classes at the École Normale Supérieure, as well as preparing students for the Agrégation de Lettres.
Photo de classe de Jeanne Alexandre (1939/1940) by Tourte & PetitinBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
However, the fact that the school was not mixed didn't prevent Michel from teaching girls at Sèvres and Jeanne teaching boys…
… which was unusual at the time.
But while teaching was one of the mainstays of their lives, their role as activists is what is most prominent in the Nîmes collection. Indeed, following World War I, the couple was committed to promoting peace between France and Germany—and more generally between people—at a time when patriotism and victory in the war fueled the prevailing opposite ideology.
Carte postale du Comité International des Femmes pour la Paix Permanente (1914) by Comité International des Femmes pour la paix PermanenteBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
The couple, especially Jeanne, were involved in a feminist and pacifist group called the International Women's Committee of Permanent Peace.
Campaigning for women's suffrage, the committee used articles and leaflets to encourage women to take action against the war through concrete actions (blocking trains for example).
Une du journal Le Rappel (1914-02-19) by Le RappelBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
However, they faced great hostility from the public, including in feminist circles, and were repeatedly caricatured in newspapers. This front page of the newspaper Le Rappel features a caricature of Halbwachs and suffrage: "but HE has it!".
Manifeste du Comité de Vigilance des Intellectuels Antifascistes (1934) by Comité de Vigilance des Intellectuels AntifascistesBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
After World War I, the couple continued to support pacifism, which became Jeanne's main focus over women's suffrage. In the 1930s, when Nazism and Fascism threatened Europe, they kept believing in peace.
Traumatized by World War I, many intellectuals still believed in international peace, like Alain, who, with other prominent figures, created the Comité de Vigilance des Intellectuels Antifascistes (Watchfulness Committee of Antifascist Intellectuals—CVIA), which the couple joined.
Lettre de soutien à Michel Alexandre (1940-12-17) by Professeurs au Lycée Henri IVBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
But when World War II broke out, Michel's arrest, which resulted in him being suspended from teaching and interned in a camp, discouraged the couple from making any further commitment during the German occupation of France.
Many teachers signed a letter supporting him.
Lettre de Jeanne Alexandre (1968-07-01) by Jeanne AlexandreBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
However, they did not limit their political thinking to pacifism. The couple were members of the French Section of the Workers' International (SFIO) between 1914 and 1917, even if they were quickly disillusioned by it. However, they continued to take an interest in working conditions, gender equality, supporting the students of the École Normale Supérieure who did not want to complete their military service in 1928, and encouraging equal access to education for all…
Long after her husband's death in 1952, Jeanne continued to send letters, sign petitions, and support many causes until her own death in 1980, such as this one against a motion that challenged the nature and function of philosophy classes in the wake of the events of May 1968 (a period of civil unrest in France).
She also dedicated her time to the memory of Michel, by organizing the publishing of his courses: she asked former students to donate their notes in order to collate them into books.
Article "Michel Alexandre" par Gérard Granel, paru dans Lundi-Matin (1957-03-18) by Gérard GranelBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
Since he was very popular, her initiative was a great success and three books were published: En souvenir de Michel Alexandre, Lecture de Platon, and Lecture de Kant.
Each book was a new opportunity to celebrate his memory. "He was simply unforgettable," wrote Gérard Granel in this article published in Lundi-Matin on March 18, 1957.
Exemplaire annoté par Michel Alexandre de Critique de la Raison Pure de Kant (1900/1952) by Michel AlexandreBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
The archive of Nîmes now keeps more than 8,000 documents including letters, notes, photographs, and political essays.
Portrait de Michel Alexandre travaillant (1930/1952) by InconnuBibliothèque Carré d'Art Nimes
They provide an unprecedented insight into two of the most significant figures of the 20th century, as well as into feminism at the time, pacifism during the interwar period, and the teaching of philosophy.
Realization: Ville de Nîmes - Bibliothèque Carré d'Art
Iconography: © Ville de Nîmes - Bibliothèque Carré d’Art, Nîmes
