Pierre Louys, French poet, 1870-1925
Pierre Louys was a French poet and writer, most renowned for lesbian and classical themes in some of his writings. Louys was named Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur on 31 December 1909 for his contribution to French literature as a man of letters. He was promoted to Officier de la Légion d’honneur on 14 January 1922. Many erotic artists have illustrated his writings. Some of the most renowned have been Georges Barbier, Paul-Émile Bécat, and André Edouard Marty. The best known illustrations for The Songs of Bilitis were done by Willy Pogany in art deco style for a publication privately circulated by Macy-Masius, New York, in 1926.
