Author, Politician. He received notoriety as a Haitian author and politician during the early part of the 20th century. In 1901 he published “Confidences et Melancolies,”a collection of 29 poems in two volumes, which expressed many emotions including his love for nature and patriotism for his country. A year later, he published “Cric-Crac: Fables de La Fontain," a collection of Creole fables written in verse. Both books are still in print. In 1904, he co-authored an award-winning, two-volume piece of Haitian anthropology with Solon Menos and Dantes Bellegarde, “Haitian Authors: Selected Pieces.” The work was recognized with an award from the French Academy for his contributions. In 1905 he founded a law school, Alliance Francaise in Haiti. In 1908 he was received as a diplomat of the Republic of Haiti in Paris and the Holy See of the Roman Catholic Church, a position he held until 1912. In July of 1915 his thoughts turned political with American occupation of Haiti. He founded the newspaper “La Patrie,” which was soon closed by the Americans. He and other writers contributed to several other newspapers and magazine to give opposition to the American occupation. He continued this patriotic struggle for the remaining years of his life. He was well-educated studying at the Brothers of Christian Instruction of Port-de-Paix, Petit Seminaire College Saint-Martial at Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, and College Stanislas in Paris, France before studying at the Faculty of Letters and Faculty of Law of Paris and receiving his law degree. After returning to his homeland of Haiti and publishing the poems and fables, he established a law school, two newspapers, and was a member of the literary society “La Ronde” and other literary activities. All seven of his children impacted the Haitian culture and society, especially his daughters: Suzanne Comhaire-Sylvain became Haiti's first woman anthropologist, Yvone Sylvain became a Haiti's first female physician, and Madeleine Sylvain-Bouchereau became an author and promoter of the feminist movement. Only his name is inscribed on his grave marker.
Author, Politician. He received notoriety as a Haitian author and politician during the early part of the 20th century. In 1901 he published “Confidences et Melancolies,”a collection of 29 poems in two volumes, which expressed many emotions including his love for nature and patriotism for his country. A year later, he published “Cric-Crac: Fables de La Fontain," a collection of Creole fables written in verse. Both books are still in print. In 1904, he co-authored an award-winning, two-volume piece of Haitian anthropology with Solon Menos and Dantes Bellegarde, “Haitian Authors: Selected Pieces.” The work was recognized with an award from the French Academy for his contributions. In 1905 he founded a law school, Alliance Francaise in Haiti. In 1908 he was received as a diplomat of the Republic of Haiti in Paris and the Holy See of the Roman Catholic Church, a position he held until 1912. In July of 1915 his thoughts turned political with American occupation of Haiti. He founded the newspaper “La Patrie,” which was soon closed by the Americans. He and other writers contributed to several other newspapers and magazine to give opposition to the American occupation. He continued this patriotic struggle for the remaining years of his life. He was well-educated studying at the Brothers of Christian Instruction of Port-de-Paix, Petit Seminaire College Saint-Martial at Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, and College Stanislas in Paris, France before studying at the Faculty of Letters and Faculty of Law of Paris and receiving his law degree. After returning to his homeland of Haiti and publishing the poems and fables, he established a law school, two newspapers, and was a member of the literary society “La Ronde” and other literary activities. All seven of his children impacted the Haitian culture and society, especially his daughters: Suzanne Comhaire-Sylvain became Haiti's first woman anthropologist, Yvone Sylvain became a Haiti's first female physician, and Madeleine Sylvain-Bouchereau became an author and promoter of the feminist movement. Only his name is inscribed on his grave marker.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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