Pierre Louys

About

Influential French poet associated with the symbolism movement and known for erotic literary works featuring lesbian themes. His works include La Femme et le pantin (The Woman and the Puppet) and Le crepuscule des nymphes (The Twilight of the Nymphs).

Before Fame

While studying at the Ecole Alsacienne in Paris, he became close with future Nobel Prize laureate Andre Gide.

Trivia

His collection of erotic prose poems, Songs of Bilitis, became the basis for the name of one of the United States' earliest lesbian organizations, The Daughters of Bilitis.

Family Life

He was born Pierre Felix Louis and began spelling his last name as Louys in 1890.

Associated With

His Songs of Bilitis were set to music by his composer friend, Claude Debussy.