After completing his studies in Paris, Halevy joined the civil service working for the Department of State from 1852 and the Algerian Department from 1858. In 1860, he became the editorial secretary of the Corps Legislatif, but resigned in 1865 in order to pursue his literary interests. He collaborated on a number of plays with Henri Meilhac during the 1870's and also wrote many of the librettos for Offenbach's operettas and for Bizet's Carmen. He also produced a number of novels and short stories. In 1884, he was elected to the French Academy. His works include Monsieur et Madame Cardinal (1873), The Abbe Constantin (1882), Criquette (1883),Love and Marriage (1886), Notes et Souvenirs,1871-1872 (1889) and Catherine Duval (1899). |