Andre Gide

Date of Birth: November 22, 1869

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: February 19, 1951

Biography

André Paul Guillaume Gide was a French author and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947. Born in Paris, Gide was a prolific writer whose works often explored themes of freedom, individuality, and sexual identity. He was deeply influenced by his Protestant upbringing and later became an advocate for social and political reform. Gide’s most famous works include “The Immoralist” (1902), “Strait is the Gate” (1909), and “The Counterfeiters” (1925). Throughout his life, Gide was known for his candid exploration of his own bisexuality and his criticism of colonialism, particularly in his work “Voyage au Congo” (1927). His writings had a profound impact on 20th-century literature and thought.

5 Interesting Facts about Andre Gide

1. Gide won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947 for his “comprehensive and artistically significant writings.”

2. He was a founding member of the literary review “La Nouvelle Revue Française.”

3. Gide’s work “The Counterfeiters” is considered one of the first modern novels due to its complex narrative structure.

4. He was openly critical of Soviet communism after an initial period of support, detailed in his book “Return from the U.S.S.R.” (1936).

5. Gide’s exploration of his own bisexuality was groundbreaking and controversial during his time, contributing significantly to LGBTQ literature.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Andre Gide

1. “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”

2. “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

3. “Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.”

4. “Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.”

5. “The most decisive actions of our life… are most often unconsidered actions.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, André Gide’s net worth was modest compared to contemporary standards but substantial enough to ensure he lived a comfortable life. Estimates suggest his highest net worth was around $1 million, adjusted for inflation.

Children

André Gide had one daughter, Catherine Gide, born in 1923. She was the result of Gide’s relationship with Elisabeth van Rysselberghe, the daughter of his close friends.