Samain, Albert, 1858-1900, French poet. He was a founder (1890) of the literary periodical Mercure de France. His first collection of verse, Au jardin de l'infante (1893, reissued with L'Urne penchée, 1897), was in a symbolist vein, but he was subsequently influenced by the Parnassians. Some of his best work appeared as Le Chariot d'or (1901). Samain's verse is distinguished by its melancholy tone and musical quality.