ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a neglected area of the personal histories of Henri Bergson and Emile Durkheim, rather than to their academic and intellectual careers. The Bergsonian critic Floris Delattre wrote that Bergson was one of those who had the privilege of "being able to gain support from their mothers, and who drew important strength from this warm affection." Georges Davy speaks of the austerity of the Durkheim home, where "observance of the law was precept and example, nothing diverting one from duty." Moses Durkheim's father-in-law, Joseph Marx Isidor, was a proprietor and dealer in horses from the neighboring town of Charmes. Melanie Durkheim established an embroidery concern at home in order to supplement the family's paltry income, but this only further underscored the rabbi's failure as a provider. It was fortunate that Emile Durkheim asked less of his school, for the College d'Epinal was ill prepared to offer much.
