Sully Prudhomme (6 March 1839 – 6 September 1907) was a French poet and essayist. He was the first winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1901. This three pages letter dated 4th of July 1896 is essentially a heartfelt "congratulations" to a close friend on his upcoming marriage, mixed with reflections on their long history together. Key Takeaways from the Text ​A "Man of Will": Prudhomme notes that his friend didn't just "fall" into marriage, but "founded" it through his own will. This reflects Prudhomme's own philosophical background—he often wrote about the intersection of human emotion and intellectual determination. ​Deep Intimacy: He uses the term "notre intimité" (our intimacy/closeness), suggesting they were very close confidants who shared their life goals ("projects") with one another long before they became a reality. ​Poetic Warmth: Even in a private letter, his Nobel-prize-winning style shines through. He talks about being "invisibly present" with his friend, which is a very poetic way of saying "I'm there in spirit."