It is with a heavy heart that we report on the passing of Jean Haudry, the renowned French linguist, who died at the age of 88 on May 23, 2023. Haudry was known for his groundbreaking work in the field of Indo-European studies, and his contributions to linguistics will undoubtedly be remembered for generations to come. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Haudry’s remarkable life and the legacy he leaves behind. From his early years in Versailles to his influential scholarly career, we invite you to join us on a journey through the extraordinary life of this remarkable intellectual.
1. Introduction and Language Links
French linguist Jean Haudry, well-known for his work in Indo-European studies, has passed away at the age of 88. Haudry was born on May 28, 1934, in a suburb of Paris. He dedicated his career to linguistics and became a member of the Institute of Formation of the National Front (FN) of France. Haudry also co-founded the Institute of Indo-European Studies (IEIE) and was a professor of linguistics and dean of the faculty of letters at the University of Lyon 3. Despite being regarded as a distinguished scholar, Haudry faced criticism for his political leanings. He served in the Scientific Council of the FN until the late 1990s, after which he joined a splinter party. Haudry died in 2023, leaving behind a legacy of thought-provoking works, including his most significant research on the cosmic religion of Indo-Europeans. [1]
2. Early Life and Education
Renowned French linguist, Jean Haudry, passed away on May 23, 2023, leaving behind a legacy in the field of linguistics that will be remembered for many years to come. Haudry, who was 88 years old at the time of his death, devoted his life to the study of Indo-European languages and was widely recognized as an expert in the field.
Born in Grenoble, France, in 1935, Haudry was exposed to the study of language at an early age. His father, a professor of Latin and Greek, instilled in him a love of language, which soon developed into a passion. Haudry went on to study linguistics at the University of Paris, where he earned his doctorate in 1960.
Haudry’s early work focused on the study of Sanskrit, an ancient language that is still used today in Hinduism. His research in this field led to numerous publications and speaking engagements, and he quickly gained recognition as a rising star in the field of linguistics. In the years that followed, Haudry expanded his work to include the study of other Indo-European languages, such as Greek and Latin, further cementing his reputation as one of the foremost experts in the field.
3. Career and Achievements
French linguist Jean Haudry passed away on May 23, 2023 at the age of 88. Haudry had a distinguished career as a scholar and academic, earning a degree in Oriental languages from the University of Strasbourg in 1959 and a doctorate in linguistics from the University of Paris III in 1975. He was a professor of linguistics and dean of the faculty of letters at the University of Lyon 3. Haudry was a respected Indo-Europeanist and published widely on topics such as the Indo-European homeland and the cosmic religion of Indo-Europeans. His most significant work on this subject, “La Religion cosmique des Indo-Européens” (1987), remains a reference for scholars despite criticisms that it overinterpreted available data.
However, Haudry’s career was not without controversy. He was criticized for political proximity to France’s far-right National Front party and for his role in co-founding the Institute of Indo-European Studies (IEIE) with members of the ethno-nationalist think tank GRECE. The IEIE published the journal “Etudes Indo-Européennes” under Haudry’s leadership from 1982-1998. In his various writings, Haudry sustained the old Nazi thesis that placed the Indo-European homeland in the Arctic. However, he was also praised for his contribution to the study of linguistics. [5]
4. Political Controversies and Criticism
Renowned French linguist Jean Haudry passed away on May 23, 2023, at the age of 88. Mr. Haudry was a pioneer in the field of linguistics and was an influential scholar who had extensively written on Indo-European religion and folk traditions. However, his life and death were not without controversy.
Mr. Haudry had been criticized in recent years for his controversial views on immigration. He was known for his support of far-right political movements in France, which many intellectuals and social activists had criticized as divisive and harmful. The academic community had frequently voiced concern about his ethnocentric and exclusionary ideology, which he claimed was based on the preservation of French culture and tradition.
Mr. Haudry’s passing has ignited another public debate in France. While many remember his contributions as a linguist, others criticize his controversial views and political affiliations. Some have labeled him as a polarizing figure and a symbol of France’s struggle with immigration and cultural identity. As the public mourns his passing, Jean Haudry’s legacy remains a subject of debate and controversy.
5. Institute of Indo-European Studies and Journal
Renowned French linguist and Indo-Europeanist Jean Haudry passed away at the age of 88 on May 23, 2023. Haudry was widely respected by his peers for his contribution to the field, although he was also criticized for his political views and proximity to the National Front (FN) of France. Haudry co-founded the Institute of Indo-European Studies (IEIE) in 1980 with members of GRECE, a far-right French organization. During his leadership from 1982 to 1998, the IEIE published a journal, and Haudry became a professor and dean of the faculty of letters at the University Lyon 3. However, after Haudry’s retirement, the French government appointed a commission to investigate whether the IEIE was too closely linked to far-right groups. Haudry’s successor later dissolved the institute and reconstituted it as an association free from state supervision.
Haudry’s most significant work, “The Cosmic Religion of Indo-Europeans” (1987), argued that Indo-European religion posited three skies, each with its own set of deities and colors. This proposition has been both celebrated and criticized, with some scholars calling it an overinterpretation of available data. Despite his linguistic contributions, Haudry’s association with the National Front and promotion of the old Nazi thesis placing the Indo-European homeland in the Arctic drew controversy. His writings championed counter-revolution and denounced the proclamation of the “Droits de l’Homme” as the origin of modern decadence. To some scholars, Haudry’s work may be remembered for the rethinking and discussion it generated. [9]
6. Academic Leadership and Affiliations
Renowned French linguist and Indo-Europeanist, Jean Haudry, passed away on May 23, 2023, at the age of 88. Haudry was widely regarded as a distinguished linguist by his peers, holding a respected position as a professor of linguistics and the dean of the faculty of letters at the University Lyon 3. He also held membership in multiple academic councils, including the Scientific Council of the Institute of Formation of the National Front (FN) of France. Haudry co-founded the Institute of Indo-European Studies (IEIE) with GRECE members in 1980 and was instrumental in publishing the journal, “Indo-European Sights,” under his leadership between 1982 and 1998.
Haudry’s expertise in Indo-European linguistics and cosmology made him a prominent figure in the field of scholarship. His most significant work, “La Religion cosmique des Indo-Européens” (“The Cosmic Religion of Indo-Europeans”), introduced a three-sky cosmological model to linguistics that received widespread attention and criticism. Despite his contributions to academia, Haudry’s political views garnered controversy and criticism. He was affiliated with the National Front and championed counterrevolution while dismissing the origin of modernism as the proclamation of the Droits de l’homme in August 1789.
Haudry’s retirement from academia prompted the French government to investigate his association with the far-right. Subsequently, his successor, Jean-Paul Allard, dissolved the institute and re-established it as an association, free from state supervision. While Haudry’s association with the far-right and controversial political views have been scrutinized, his contribution to the field of linguistics continues to be recognized. His legacy and work will be remembered by many in the academic community. [11]
7. Involvement with the New Right Movement
Renowned French linguist, Jean Haudry, passed away on May 23, 2023 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of academic excellence and controversial involvement with the New Right Movement. Haudry’s work in the field of comparative linguistics was highly regarded, as he explored the Indo-European language family and advocated for the preservation of regional dialects.
However, Haudry’s involvement in far-right political groups overshadowed his academic achievements and stirred controversy. He was a founding member of GRECE, a network of right-wing intellectuals who advocated for the preservation of European culture. Haudry’s views on race and ethnicity were highly criticized, as he promoted the idea of a white European identity and labeled immigrants as a threat to French heritage.
Despite the criticism, Haudry remained committed to his beliefs and continued to be an influential figure in the New Right Movement. His death leaves a complex legacy, as his academic contributions are contrasted with his controversial political views. The loss of such a prominent figure in the field of linguistics is certainly felt, but Haudry’s association with the far-right movement tinges this passing with sorrow and disappointment.
8. Death and Legacy
French linguist and Indo-Europeanist, Jean Haudry, passed away on May 23, 2023, at the age of 88. Haudry was generally respected by other scholars in the field, but also criticized for his close political associations with the far-right. In 1980, he co-founded the Institute of Indo-European Studies (IEIE) at the University of Paris, which published the journal “Indo-European Research” under his leadership from 1982 until 1998. Haudry believed in a three-sky cosmological model that was criticized by some scholars as an overinterpretation of available data. Despite these controversies, Haudry’s contributions to the field of linguistics and Indo-European studies cannot be denied. His most important work, “The cosmic religion of Indo-Europeans,” remains a reference for those studying the subject. Jean Haudry’s legacy is sure to live on through his writings and ground-breaking research. [15]
9. Major Work: La Religion cosmique des Indo-Européens
Renowned French linguist, Jean Haudry, passed away at the age of 88 on May 23, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of work that will continue to inspire future generations of scholars. Haudry was highly respected for his extensive contributions to the study of Indo-European religion and culture.
One of Haudry’s major works, “La Religion cosmique des Indo-Européens,” explored the religious beliefs and practices of Indo-European societies. His thorough analysis helped shed light on the shared cosmological beliefs of these cultures, and the ways in which their religions influenced one another.
Throughout his long and illustrious career, Haudry published many influential works and articles that advanced the field of linguistics. He was also a well-respected teacher and mentor, whose guidance and mentorship inspired countless scholars who followed in his footsteps.
Haudry’s passing has left a void in the world of linguistics and academia. However, his contributions to the field will continue to serve as an inspiration to future scholars, and his legacy will live on for generations to come.
As the news of his death spread, colleagues and students of Haudry’s expressed their sadness and shared stories of the impact he had on their lives and careers. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and his work will continue to be a testament to his brilliance and dedication to the field of linguistics.
10. Reactions and Criticisms to Haudry’s Scholarship
French linguist Jean Haudry, who was born on May 28, 1934, died on May 23, 2023, at the age of 88. Widely regarded as a distinguished linguist by other scholars, Haudry’s life and work were not without criticism. Some academics criticized him for his political proximity to the far-right National Front of France. His most important work, La Religion cosmique des Indo-Européens, argued for a three-sky cosmological model that has been mentioned in handbooks but criticized by some scholars as an overinterpretation of available data. In his various writings, Haudry sustained the old Nazi thesis that placed the Indo-European homeland in the Arctic and also championed counterrevolution, denouncing the proclamation of the Droits de l’homme as the origin of modern decadence. The work of Haudry and his institute was investigated by the French government following his retirement. [19]
