Charles Baudelaire

Date of Birth: April 9, 1821

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: August 31, 1867

Biography

Charles Baudelaire was a renowned French poet, born on April 9, 1821, in Paris, France. Widely regarded as a pioneer of modernist literature, Baudelaire’s influence extends well beyond poetry into the realms of art criticism and translation. His most famous work, “Les Fleurs du mal” (“The Flowers of Evil”), published in 1857, challenged the conventions of its time with its exploration of themes like decadence, eroticism, and the macabre. Baudelaire’s life was marked by financial struggles, health issues, and legal problems, including a trial for obscenity due to the controversial nature of his work. Despite these challenges, his innovative use of language and exploration of complex human emotions have left an indelible mark on literature. Baudelaire passed away on August 31, 1867, in Paris, but his legacy endures as one of the most significant poets of the 19th century.

5 Interesting Facts about Charles Baudelaire

1. Baudelaire’s stepfather, Jacques Aupick, was a high-ranking military officer, which created tension between them due to Baudelaire’s bohemian lifestyle.

2. He was a close friend of the painter Édouard Manet and was instrumental in promoting his work.

3. Baudelaire translated the works of Edgar Allan Poe into French, significantly influencing French literature.

4. “Les Fleurs du mal” faced legal action for its “obscenity” and six of its poems were banned in France until 1949.

5. Despite his literary success, Baudelaire struggled financially throughout his life and died in relative poverty.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charles Baudelaire

1. “Always be a poet, even in prose.”

2. “To be a useful person has always seemed to me something quite hideous.”

3. “Inspiration comes of working every day.”

4. “The more a man cultivates the arts, the less randy he becomes.”

5. “A multitude of small delights constitutes happiness.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Charles Baudelaire did not achieve significant financial success during his lifetime; his highest net worth is not well-documented but he died in relative poverty.