In 'Recollections of My Youth', Ernest Renan tells the story of his life from childhood to young adulthood. Renan was a renowned French scholar, historian, philosopher, and biblical critic, known for his groundbreaking works on the origins of early Christianity and his views on nationalism and national identity. His autobiography offers a unique perspective on the intellectual and cultural life of 19th-century France, as well as insights into Renan's own development as a thinker and scholar.