A student at the Ecole Normale, where he was a lecturer and then director. He did not make his literary debut until 1843. He was a peer of France after 1830, a Conseiller d'Etat and Minister of Public Instruction in 1840. Elected to the AcadŽmie franaise in 1831, he was appointed to the AcadŽmie des Sciences morales et politiques when it was reorganised in 1832. He was a member of the Dictionary commission. Commander of the LŽgion d'Honneur.Autograph letter signed ÒV CousinÓ by the composer Fromental Halevy (1799-1862) s.l.n.d. Tuesday evening,1 p. in-8¡, autogr. subscription. Beautiful piece.Letter made very curious because of the well-known affair of Victor Cousin with the woman of letters Louise Revoil Dame Colet. The philosopher is at M. Colet's house (Hippolyte, 1809-1851, the musicographer and composer, professor at the Conservatoire): ÇJe viens vous demander sŽrieusement si M. Colet a quelque espoir d'tre prŽsentŽ jeudi prochain. Si vous le pensez, je serai ˆ votre disposition. Alors ayez la gentillesse de me donner votre avis.Ó