Jean Bertheroy (1858–1927)

Jean Bertheroy was the pen name of Berthe Clorine Jeanne Le Barillier (there are several alternative spellings from different sources), born in Bordeaux, France. Her parents were Hyacinthe Édouard François Le Barillier, a physician and former naval health officer, and his wife Jeanne Laure Elisabeth Fabre. She was first noted for her poems. Later she turned to writing historical novels, gothic novels, and modern novels. One of her favorite periods to write about was ancient Rome. She was a popular and successful writer in her day, and three of her works received prestigious awards from the Académie française: the Prix Archon-Despérouses for Femmes antiques (1890); the Prix Montyon for Ximénès (1894); and the Prix d'éloquence for André Chénier: Dans l’âme du poète. She also contributed articles to leading publications such as Le Figaro and the Revue des deux Mondes. She was the first secretary of the Prix Femina jury in 1904 and campaigned for the improvement of the condition of women. She was awarded the Légion d'honneur in 1911 and was a member of the Société des gens de lettres. She is sometimes referred to as Dame Roy de Clotte or Madame Czernicki, as she was married twice.