Abstract : A reversion of literary biography was apparent in France at the end of the last century. In this context, I, through an in-depth comparison of two representative biographical works, explore the position of literary works study in literary biography and the possibilities of using biography for the sake of literary research.

Key words: literary biography ; Camus

Jeanyves Guérin is Director of Graduate School of French Literature and comparative literature at University of Paris III - Sorbonne Nouvelle. He is specialized in modern French literature with special contributions to Camus’ study and contemporary French drama. His recent publications include Albert Camus: Literature and Politics (2013), Albert Camus Dictionary (2009), French Drama from 1914 to 1950 (2007), New Art or New Men? The Modernity and Progressivism in Twentieth-Century French Literature (2002).