Henri Lasserre

Pierre Lasserre (1867–1930) was a French literary critic, journalist, and essayist who also served as Director of the École des Hautes-Études. Initially a fervent nationalist and anti-Dreyfusard, he became a leading literary critic for Action française and authored the first book on Charles Maurras. Lasserre was instrumental, alongside Georges Valois, in integrating Nietzschean ideas into neoroyalist thought. He notably defended neo-classicism, arguing that Romanticism was linked to the ideals of the French Revolution and had consequently damaged the concept of monarchy. This anti-Romantic viewpoint, influenced by Action Française and Maurras, also shared common ground with essayist Ernest Seillière and the counterrevolutionary tradition, later impacting Carl Schmitt.

Lasserre's academic career saw him champion classical and humane studies against university modernization trends, a concern shared by colleagues Henri Massis and Alfred de Tard. However, his association with Maurras and Action française fractured in 1914. While initially seen as a proponent of nationalism, Lasserre's Germanophile leanings and differing views on Romanticism led to a break, particularly as others within the circle, like Louis Reynaud, advanced more extreme nationalist arguments. Following this split, Lasserre pursued a conventional academic path.

Pierre Lasserre established himself as a significant literary critic, particularly noted for his defense of neo-classicism against Romanticism. He viewed Romanticism as intrinsically tied to the revolutionary ideals of the French Revolution and argued that its influence had been detrimental to the concept of monarchy. This perspective was shaped by his involvement with the Action Française movement and his close intellectual relationship with Charles Maurras. Lasserre was among the first to explore the incorporation of Nietzschean philosophy into neoroyalist political theories, working alongside Georges Valois. His critical stance on Romanticism, which he presented in a notable 1907 thesis at the University of Paris, resonated with other thinkers like Ernest Seillière and influenced later figures such as Carl Schmitt.

Before World War I, Lasserre was an active intellectual figure, engaging with thinkers like Charles Péguy and absorbing the ideas of Georges Sorel. He advocated for the preservation of classical education within the university system, opposing what he perceived as a trend towards modernization that threatened traditional humane studies. This concern for classical education was shared by his colleagues Henri Massis and Alfred de Tard. However, Lasserre's political and intellectual trajectory saw a significant shift in 1914 when he broke ties with Charles Maurras and the Action Française. This divergence stemmed partly from his Germanophile sympathies and his nuanced position on German Romanticism, which contrasted with the more strident nationalism promoted by some within Action Française, such as Louis Reynaud. After this rupture, Lasserre continued his career within the established academic framework.