DIERX, LEON (1838-1912), French poet, was born in the island of Reunion in 1838, and died in Paris on June i 1, 1912. He came to Paris to study at the Central School of Arts and Manufactures and then became an official in the education office. A friend and disciple of Leconte de Lisle, Dierx was one of the most distinguished of the Parnassians. On the death of Stephane Mallarme in 1898 he was acclaimed "prince of poets" by "les jeunes." If his earlier works are reminiscent of Leconte de Lisle the later ones have marked originality. The most significant of his volumes of verse is Levres closes (1867) . His Oeuvres ( 2 vols., 1894-96) contain much exquisite verse profound in thought and perfect in expression.