M. Maryan was the

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true meaning ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individual's o ...

used by Marie Rosalie Virginie Cadiou (1847-1927), a French novelist born in Brest who worked in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

. She was a prolific author who wrote for young female readers. Cadiou published her entire catalog of literary work under the pseudonym M. Maryan, which in English means "Mr. Maryan." The name was created early in her career by a random printing error of the first name of her maternal grandmother, Mary-Ann Kirkland, which was the

pen name A pen name or nom-de-plume is a pseudonym (or, in some cases, a variant form of a real name) adopted by an author and printed on the title page or by-line of their works in place of their real name. A pen name may be used to make the author's na ...

the young author had intended to use. Some of her work can now be found under her married name, Marie Deschard or Descard.Buck, Claire (1992). ''Bloomsbury guide to women's literature''. London: Bloomsbury. .

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185786618.

Personal life

Cadiou (born 21 December 1847) was the daughter of a captain and mayor of

Guipavas Guipavas (; ) is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France. The writer Maurice Polard (born 1932) is from Guipavas. The city is divided into two major parts: the west, known as the dynamic core of the city and ...

, niece of Admiral Thomas Louis, and sister of the writer Paul Cadiou. From her marriage to Charles-Albert Deschard (1836-1919) who was Commissioner General of the Navy, she had six children: Albert (Chief Commissioner of the Navy), Marthe, Marie (wife of Rear Admiral René Nielly), Paul (a battalion commander), André and Pierre. Cadiou developed many charitable activities in her birthplace, Brest. While in Paris, she worked intensely at her writing, sometimes producing four novels a year, most intended for young girls. She died 28 January 1927 in Brest at the age of 80.

Publications

Cadiou was a frequent contributor to the ''Journal des Demoiselles'', a Paris periodical for affluent girls aged 14 to 18, which devoted a portion of its editions to education and science as well as literature, fashion and theater. During her lifetime, her work was reproduced in many newspapers and translated into different languages. Some of her writings can be found under her other names: Maryan-M, or Marie Deschard. Cadiou produced more than 100 known titles including both fiction and nonfiction and numerous title and editions are still in print, as of 2020.

Selected works of fiction

* Father's fault ("La faute du père"). Benziger, Einsiedeln 1926 * The heritage of Montligné ("La fortune des Montligné"). Benziger, Einsiedeln 1885 * Guénola. Narrative from Brittany ("Guénola"). Benziger, Einsiedeln 1913 * The home of the bachelor. Benziger, Einsiedeln 1889 * Hotel St. Francis. Novelle ("L'hôtel Saint François"). Schöningh, Paderborn 1891 * Marcia de Laubly. Novella ("Marcia de Laubly"). Pustet, Regensburg 1915 * Paula's heritage ("L'heritage de Paule"). Benziger, Einsiedeln 1891 * The dark side of a rich dowry. Benziger, Einsiedeln 1885

Selected works of nonfiction

* Feminism of all times ("Le feminisme de tous les temps.") Bloud & Barral, Paris 1900 (written with Gabrielle Béal) * Background: know-how for young girls. ("Le fond et la forms. La savoir-vivre pour les jeune filles.") Bloud & Barral, Paris 1896

Honors

Based on her work, she was given a distinguished title of Laureate by the

Académie française An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of tertiary education. The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 386 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the go ...

even though she considered herself "lacking in literary ambition."

References

External links

IdRef
(in French)
Catalog BnF
(in French) *Worldcat.org: https://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-nr2005004982/ {{DEFAULTSORT:Maryan 1847 births 1927 deaths Writers from Brest, France French women novelists 20th-century French women writers 20th-century French novelists French romantic fiction writers 19th-century French women writers Pseudonymous women writers 19th-century pseudonymous writers 20th-century pseudonymous writers