Jeanne Galzy

French novelist and biographer who was a member of the jury for the Prix Femina for more than five decades. Largely forgotten today, she was known as a regional author, but also wrote three novels early in her career that explore lesbian topics; she has been referred to as one of the "pioneers in the writing of lesbian desire and despair." After having published five novels, a play, and having received a number of literary awards, in 1929 she delivered a novel of lesbian love between a teacher and a student, "L'initiatrice aux mains vides," translated in English as "Burnt Offering" and the winner of the 1930 Prix Brentano (which earned her $1000 and a translation of her book in English). Her novels, "Les Démons de la solitude" (1936) and "Jeunes Filles en serre chaude" (1934) also explore lesbian desire. In her time, Galzy enjoyed a measure of popularity and literary recognition. She was a member of the salon of Natalie Clifford Barney and was read by (and presumably influenced) writers such as Marguerite Yourcenar. Hélène de Monferrand was strongly influenced by her. Galzy died on 6 May 1977 in Montarnaud, Hérault. Link to Wikipedia biography