French military officer (1859-1935) whose central role in the Dreyfus Affair, which tore French society apart and shook their faith in the military, thrust him into the international spotlight. Significant ALS in French, signed “A. Dreyfus,” one page, 4.75 x 6.25, [no date]. Handwritten letter to Gabrielle Alexandrine Zola, the widow of writer and outspoken Dreyfus supporter Emile Zola, who had sent a book of Zola's correspondence. In full (translated): "I thank you so very much for so kindly sending the second volume of the correspondence of our very much regretted Zola. By reading it I had the impression of hearing his voice, living with him and with his thoughts and with his thinking which for me was infinitely sweet." In fine condition.
French journalist and novelist Emile Zola may be best remembered for his inflammatory 1898 open letter, 'J'Accuse!,' which exposed the anti-Semitism of the French press and government in the infamous Dreyfus Affair—the unlawful jailing of Alfred Dreyfus, a French Army General Staff officer who was sentenced to lifelong penal servitude for espionage. Zola pointed out judicial errors and lack of serious evidence in the case. The piece caused a stir in France and abroad, and Zola was prosecuted for libel and found guilty in February 1898.
To avoid imprisonment, he fled to England, returning home in June 1899. As a result of the popularity of the letter, even in the English-speaking world, J'accuse! has become a common expression of outrage and accusation against someone powerful, whatever the merits of the accusation. Zola said of the affair, ‘The truth is on the march, and nothing shall stop it.’ He was right—due to public outrage, Dreyfus was offered a pardon and released from prison in 1899.
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