Overview
Through her cousin the composer Reynaldo Hahn, Marie Nordlinger, a Manchester-trained artist, met Marcel Proust with whom she forged a deep friendship. After a career in the art world, she later devoted her life to cultivating Proust’s memory and that of Hahn, with whom she had been in love.
The daughter of a cotton industrialist in Manchester, Marie Nordlinger met Marcel Proust in Paris through her cousin the Venezuelan composer Reynaldo Hahn. It was there that a friendship with the French novelist began and soon blossomed thanks to the help she gave him to translate two of John Ruskin’s works into French. This talented, multilingual artist and sculptor, the “Parisienne from Manchester”, went on to lead a remarkable life in the art world. She sculpted in Hamburg and in Belle Époque Paris; she negotiated contracts in America for the Paris-based art dealer and disseminator of Japonisme Siegfried Bing; she helped catalogue in Detroit the precious art collections of the industrialist Charles Lang Freer; back in Paris, she opened her own antique shop. With great stoicism, Marie overcame personal tragedies: her marriage to the German art historian Rudolf Meyer-Riefstahl ended in divorce; during the Great War her belongings were confiscated; and in the Second World War her beloved son was killed in a flying accident. After the publication of her correspondence from Proust, Lettres à une amie, in 1942, she became a celebrity, her Manchester home the center of pilgrimage for Proustians from all over the world. Her later years she spent promoting the memory of Proust and that of her cousin Reynaldo, with whom she had been in love
The daughter of a cotton industrialist in Manchester, Marie Nordlinger met Marcel Proust in Paris through her cousin the Venezuelan composer Reynaldo Hahn. It was there that a friendship with the French novelist began and soon blossomed thanks to the help she gave him to translate two of John Ruskin’s works into French. This talented, multilingual artist and sculptor, the “Parisienne from Manchester”, went on to lead a remarkable life in the art world. She sculpted in Hamburg and in Belle Époque Paris; she negotiated contracts in America for the Paris-based art dealer and disseminator of Japonisme Siegfried Bing; she helped catalogue in Detroit the precious art collections of the industrialist Charles Lang Freer; back in Paris, she opened her own antique shop. With great stoicism, Marie overcame personal tragedies: her marriage to the German art historian Rudolf Meyer-Riefstahl ended in divorce; during the Great War her belongings were confiscated; and in the Second World War her beloved son was killed in a flying accident. After the publication of her correspondence from Proust, Lettres à une amie, in 1942, she became a celebrity, her Manchester home the center of pilgrimage for Proustians from all over the world. Her later years she spent promoting the memory of Proust and that of her cousin Reynaldo, with whom she had been in love
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Marie Nordlinger (1876-1961) (Proust's Muse from Manchester), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Marie Nordlinger (1876-1961) (Proust's Muse from Manchester).