Madeleine Rolland

Madeleine Rolland (October 17, 1872 – April 1, 1960) was a French translator and peace activist.^[1] She was affiliated with the French section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).

Madeleine Rolland, Elena Stasova, and Gabrielle Duchêne (l-r) in August 1934 at the world gathering of women.

Biography

Madeleine Rolland was born in Clamecy, October 17, 1872.^[2]

She passed the Agrégation in English in 1901, and then taught in Paris at the Guild (future Franco-British Institute).^[2]

From 1919, she filled the roles of secretary and interpreter for her brother, Romain Rolland. That same year, she joined WILPF.

Rolland was a translator, most notably of Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, but also À quatre voix by Rabindranath Tagore.^[1]

Madeleine Rolland, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mirabehn (l-r), 1931

Passionate about India and mastering the English language, it was Madeleine who made it possible for her brother, Romain, to come into contact with Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi.^[2] In addition, she had a rich epistolary correspondence with Madeleine Slade.^[2]

She spent the Occupation in Dijon, with Yvonne Paquet. At the Liberation, the two women led a section of the Union des femmes françaises (renamed, Femmes solidaires).^[3]

Madeleine Rolland died in Créteil, April 1, 1960.^[2]

See also

• List of peace activists