Arthur Rimbaud

Date of Birth: October 20, 1854

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: November 10, 1891

Biography

Arthur Rimbaud, born Jean Nicolas Arthur Rimbaud, was a French poet who significantly influenced modern literature and arts, prefiguring surrealism. Born in Charleville, Ardennes, Rimbaud was a precocious student but displayed a rebellious streak. He wrote most of his literary work during his teenage years and early twenties, making a substantial impact despite his brief career. Rimbaud’s poetry is known for its vivid imagery, innovative structure, and complex themes that challenge conventional norms. His most famous works include “A Season in Hell” (Une Saison en Enfer) and “Illuminations.” Rimbaud’s relationship with fellow poet Paul Verlaine was both creatively productive and tumultuous, marked by intense emotional and physical conflict. After abandoning poetry at the age of 21, Rimbaud traveled extensively, working in various trades including as a merchant in Africa. His life after poetry was marked by adventure and hardship. Rimbaud’s later years were plagued by health issues, culminating in his early death at the age of 37.

5 Interesting Facts about Arthur Rimbaud

1. Rimbaud wrote his first poem at the age of 15.

2. He was known for his rebellious behavior, often running away from home and school.

3. His romantic and professional relationship with Paul Verlaine ended violently, with Verlaine shooting Rimbaud in the wrist.

4. Rimbaud’s work was largely ignored during his lifetime but gained immense recognition posthumously.

5. He traveled to places as far-flung as Java, Cyprus, and Yemen in his later years, working in various trades including as a coffee merchant.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Arthur Rimbaud

1. “I is another.”

2. “Life is the farce which everyone has to perform.”

3. “Genius is the recovery of childhood at will.”

4. “I saw that all beings are fated to happiness: action is not life, but a way of wasting some force, a complication of some simple idea.”

5. “I accustomed myself to simple hallucination: I saw quite frankly a mosque in place of a factory, a school of drummers made up of angels, carriages on the roads of heaven, a drawing-room at the bottom of a lake; monsters, mysteries.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Arthur Rimbaud did not achieve significant financial success during his lifetime. His highest net worth was modest, primarily from his later work in trade rather than his poetry.