French novelist and poet, born at Paris; is chiefly distinguished as the author of "Scènes de la Vie de Boheme," from his own experiences, and instinct with pathos and humour, sadness his predominant tone; wrote lyrics as well as novels and stories, the chief "La Chanson de Musette," "a tear," says Gautier, "which has become a pearl of poetry" (1822-1861).