FLERS, ROBERT DE LA MARQUIS DE (1872-1927), French dramatist, born at Pont l'Eveque on Nov. 25, 1872, died at Vittel on July 3o, 1927. His literary career opened with a volume of travel sketches (Vers l'Orient, 1896) and a series of critical essays notable for their delicacy of touch. He was on the staff of the Soleil and subsequently of Figaro. About 190o he made the acquaintance of Arman de Caillavet, who was his close friend and collaborator for fifteen years. Their first theatrical venture was Les Travaux d'Hercule (1900, a mythological parody somewhat in the style of La Belle Helene and Orphee aux Enters by Meilhac and Halevy. They found in Cl. Terrasse a composer gifted with a comic verve comparable to that of Offenbach. Terrasse contributed greatly to the success of Le Sire de V ergy (1903) and Monsieur de la Palisse (1904)• De Flers and Caillavet however achieved their greatest successes after 1906; special mention is due to Miquette et sa Mere (1906), L' Amour veille (1907), Papa 0910, Primerose (191I) and La Belle Aventure (1913), written in collaboration with Etienne Rey. Those of their plays which seem most likely to live are Le Roi (1908), which was written in collaboration with Emm-Arene, Le Bois Sacre (1910) and L'Habit Vert (1913), in which the political and literary life of the day are exposed to lively and good humoured satire. Robert de Flers was mobilized on the outbreak of the World War, and was at one time entrusted with an impor tant mission to the Rumanian army. He was elected to the Academie francaise on June 3, 1920, in place of the marquis de Segur. After the death of Arman de Caillavet in 1915 Robert de Flers collaborated with Fr. de Croisset. The best of their joint works are Le Retour (1920), Les Vignes du Seigneur (192 3) and Les Nouveaux Messieurs (1925). Robert de Flers was for some years president of the Society of Dramatic Authors. He married a daughter of Victorien Sardou. The plays of Robert de Flers have often been compared with those of Meilhac and Halevy; but, charming and lively as they are, it is not certain that they show the sound observation and the ingenious fancy which give the work of the latter writers its lasting value.