Georges Bataille

Date of Birth: September 10, 1897

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: July 8, 1962

Biography

Georges Bataille was a French intellectual and writer known for his provocative and often controversial works that span across literature, philosophy, sociology, and anthropology. Born on September 10, 1897, in Billom, Puy-de-Dôme, France, Bataille’s work is characterized by themes of eroticism, mysticism, and the subversion of established norms. His most notable books include “Story of the Eye,” “The Accursed Share,” and “Erotism: Death and Sensuality.” Bataille’s childhood was marred by the mental illness of his father and the subsequent death of his mother, experiences that profoundly influenced his later work. He initially studied to become a priest but abandoned this path, turning instead to a secular intellectual pursuit. He was a librarian by profession, notably working at the Bibliothèque nationale de France. A central figure in the intellectual circles of early 20th-century France, Bataille founded several influential literary journals, including “Critique” and “Acéphale.” His work delved into the intersections of human experience, exploring the limits of rationality and the role of excess and transgression. Bataille died on July 8, 1962, in Paris, leaving behind a rich and challenging legacy that continues to influence contemporary thought.

5 Interesting Facts about Georges Bataille

1. Georges Bataille was initially educated in a Catholic seminary, intending to become a priest before turning to secular intellectual pursuits.

2. He founded the secret society Acéphale, which was dedicated to exploring the connections between community, sacrifice, and sovereignty.

3. Bataille’s work often explored taboo subjects, including eroticism and death, pushing the boundaries of conventional morality.

4. He was a contemporary and sometimes rival of other prominent French intellectuals like Jean-Paul Sartre and André Breton.

5. Bataille’s novel “Story of the Eye” is one of his most famous works, blending surrealist imagery with erotic themes.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Georges Bataille

1. “I believe that truth has only one face: that of a violent contradiction.”

2. “Eroticism, it may be said, is assenting to life up to the point of death.”

3. “Literature is not innocent. It is guilty and should admit itself so.”

4. “The need to go astray, to be destroyed, is an extremely private, distant, passionate, turbulent truth.”

5. “I believe that the struggle against death is a struggle against the human condition itself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Georges Bataille did not achieve significant financial wealth during his lifetime. His highest net worth is not documented, but his influence and intellectual legacy have been invaluable.

Children

Georges Bataille had one daughter, Laurence Bataille, who was born in 1930. Laurence became a psychoanalyst and writer, following in her father’s intellectual footsteps.