PONSARD, Frtmccis, 1814-67. A French dramatist b. in Vienna; educated for the with tastes for poetical literature. In 1837 he translated Byron's ..1/anfred into French, but it found few readers. While residing several years in Vienna he contributed to the Revue de nenne. His first approved production was Luerece, which was hawked through Paris to find a reader among the literary judges for the stage in 1843, and finally in 1853 got a bearing through the friendship of Charles Renaud. Theatrical rivalries aided to secure it a brilliant reception, and it has since maintained its place among, the best productions for the French stage. In 1816 he produced Agnes de Neranic, which was coldly received; in 1S50 Charlotte Corday, which was popular; and followed that by a comedy entitled Horace et Lydie, which was completely successful. In 1853 his I) Ron neur et l' Argent was brought out at the Odeon and had an unexampled run of popularity.
It was remarked as forming an era in Parisian taste that a piece so pure and high in its lone should have a reception so continuously warm—it having run more than 100 consec utive nights without losing interest with the public. The poetic talent displayed in it Is not of a high order; but in grace of diction, sustained interest, and intense sympathy 'treated with the moral of the play, it is remarkable. In 1856 he produced the comedy f La Bourse, an excellent satire on the rage for speculation then just reaching fever :eat in Paris; in 1866 the Lion Amoroux; and in 1867, shortly before his death, Galilee. 'onsard was made a member of the academy in 1855 soon after the pronounced success of L'Honneur at l' Argent.