Bourget, Paul: - Paul Bourget (1852-1935) was a French novelist, critic, and essayist who played a significant role in the French literary scene of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bourget was known for his psychological novels and his exploration of the themes of morality, religion, and identity. Bourget's work often focused on the conflicts between tradition and modernity, and his characters were often torn between their desire for progress and their longing for the past. He was interested in the human condition and the struggles we all face in finding our place in the world. Bourget's most famous works include "Le Disciple" (1889), "La Terre Promise" (1892), and "Cosmopolis" (1892). "Cosmopolis" is a novel that explores the conflict between the modern and the traditional, set against the backdrop of Rome. Bourget was also a prominent literary critic, and he played an important role in shaping the French literary scene. He was a member of the prestigious Académie française and was highly regarded by his peers.