French literature of the seventeenth century in B. A. Krzhevsky's works

The paper considers two articles by B.A. Krzhevsky(1887-1954), a Russian Soviet literary critic and translator, from the viewpoint of the content and key methodological principles. The articles are focused on the problems of French literature of the XVIIth century. It is concluded that in his general theoretical article «the Theater of Corneille and Racine» (1923) the researcher attempts to rehabilitate the creative method. He declares anthropocentrism of classicism and classical dramatic art. In the draft article «Literary activity of Saint-Evremond» (1952), B. A. Krzevsky turns to prose and examines the cultural phenomenon of libertinage. The scientist updates the progressive character and realistic potential.