FORMATIVE INFLtJENCES ON GABRIEL MARCEL In order to understand properly the philosophy of any particular thinker, it is imperative to know his background, We^ therefore^ in this chapter, would try to understand the life, works, philosophical development and various influences on Gabriel M arcel in the formation o f his philosophy. Gabriel M arcel was born in Parison Decem ber 7, 1889, His father was Privy Councillor and French Ambassador to Sweden. He was also the director of Beaux A rts o f Bibliotheque Nationale and Musees Nationaux. His mother was o f Jewish origin. She died when he was only four years old. The loss of his m other left a deep impact on his life which had reflected later in his writings. It was considered to be one o f the sources of his search for the meaning o f death throughout his life.* Little Marcel was brought up by his maternal aunt whom his father m arried later. He suffered the disadvantages o f a lone child. He had no equal companions to converse with. His stepm other had a deep moral sense but was thoroughly agnostic in character. Though his father had a certain aesthetic consciousness, he was also agnostic and.