Traian Rafael Radu Demetrescu | |
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| Born | December 5, 1866 Craiova, United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia |
| Died | April 9, 1896 (aged 29) Solca, Austria-Hungary |
| Pen name | Tradem |
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| Period | 1884–1896 |
| Genre | lyric poetry, psychological novel, short story, novella, memoir |
| Subject | literary criticism, social criticism, theater criticism |
| Literary movement | Impressionism, Naturalism, Realism, Symbolism |
Traian Rafael Radu Demetrescu (Romanian pronunciation: [traˈjan rafaˈel ˈradu demeˈtresku]; also known under his pen name Tradem or, occasionally, as Traian Demetrescu-Tradem; December 5, 1866 – April 17, 1896) was a Romanian poet, novelist and literary critic, considered one of the first symbolist authors in local literature. Influenced by French writers such as François Coppée and the Decadent Maurice Rollinat, as well as by the local poet Mihai Eminescu, he was made popular by his poems, many of which served as the basis of popular romanzas. Receptive to impressionism and naturalism, he wrote a number of psychological novels and several short stories, some of which are remembered for their melancholic and occasionally macabre themes.
Also noted for his socialist convictions and his contributions as a journalist, Demetrescu advocated an original view of literature, which, despite placing emphasis on progressivism, was distinct from the Marxist views of his contemporaries Constantin Dobrogeanu-Gherea and Constantin Mille. A friend and associate of the influential poet Alexandru Macedonski, he played a minor part in a lengthy polemic with the conservative literary society Junimea, and authored a series of essays and memoirs documenting the Romanian intellectual environment.
Tradem was affected by the infectious disease, tuberculosis, which his contemporaries said was to be found in the depressive or exuberant tones in his writings. His original take on poetry served to inspire the Romanian symbolist groups. He is seen as a predecessor to Ştefan Petică, N. Davidescu and George Bacovia, while his prose was an influence on Caton Theodorian.