Amélie Gex

Amélie Rose Françoise Gex, (born October 24, 1835, La Chapelle-Blanche, Savoie, died June 16, 1883, Chambéry) was a Savoyard writer and poet who created works in French and Franco-Provençal (Arpitan). Until 1880, she published most of her writings under the pen name Dian de la Jeânna.

Biography

Amélie Gex was the daughter of the physician and winemaker Marc-Samuel Gex. Her mother died when she was 4 years old. She first lived in Chambéry then Challes-les-Eaux with her grandmother. At fourteen, she moved back to La Chapelle-Blanche with her father.

Upon the formation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, Gex, like many Liberals who preferred the Italian Cavour to Napoleon III of France, supported King Victor Emmanuel II. She later became Republican, and entered politics, writing speeches in dialect to better speak to rural voters.

Gex began writing during the years 1872-75. After the death of her father in 1876, she operated her family's estate, then returned to live in Chambéry, where she lived modestly.