Adam

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-07-06 Diary Coverage: Up to 1874-03-24

Identity

The Bashkirtseff family's cook who has become Paul's corrupting companion and mentor.

Diary References

1874

• March 24: Marie identifies him as Paul's bad influence: "Et son compagnon et mentor est notre cuisinier Adam" (And his companion and mentor is our cook Adam).

1875

• August 4 (Paris): "Adam est en Russie et il va nous donner du fil à retordre !" (038.0104), beside Marie's fears about the family's lawsuit in Russia (038.0118). The Mon Journal t.5 index lists him as "Adam, domestique, 225, 233, 266".
• August 8: in her card reading he is the king of spades "qui me devait faire du mal" (038.0204).
• That the 1874 cook and the 1875 "domestique" are one man is probable (0.7), not proven.

Context

• Household cook/chef
• Major negative influence on Paul
• Paul spends time in kitchen with him
• Takes Paul to cafés and unsuitable places
• Contributes to Paul's corruption
• Inappropriate mentor relationship

Related Entries

• #Paul - Corrupted by Adam

Research Notes

• Servants overstepping boundaries
• Class mixing causing family concern
• Kitchen as Paul's refuge from education
• Marie sees servant influence as degrading