Gerard De Nerval

Date of Birth: May 22, 1808

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: January 26, 1855

Biography

Gérard de Nerval, born Gérard Labrunie, was a French writer, poet, and translator, particularly known for his novellas and his work in Romantic literature. He was born in Paris on May 22, 1808, and became one of the most enigmatic figures in French literary history. His life was marked by tragedy and mental illness, which often influenced his writing. Nerval is best known for his novella “Sylvie” and the collection “Les Filles du feu” (The Daughters of Fire). He was a contemporary and friend of notable literary figures like Théophile Gautier and Victor Hugo. Nerval’s work often blended the boundaries between reality and fantasy, drawing heavily on his dreams and delusions. Despite his struggles, he left a lasting impact on French literature before his tragic death in 1855.

5 Interesting Facts about Gerard De Nerval

1. Gérard de Nerval was a pioneer in the French Romantic movement and influenced later Surrealist writers.

2. He famously walked a lobster on a blue silk leash in the Palais-Royal gardens, claiming it was a peaceful creature that didn’t bark or bite.

3. Nerval translated Goethe’s “Faust” into French, which was highly praised by Goethe himself.

4. He suffered from bouts of mental illness throughout his life and was institutionalized several times.

5. Nerval’s death is often described as a possible suicide; he was found hanging from a window grating in a Parisian street.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gerard De Nerval

1. “The first moments of sleep are an image of death; a hazy torpor grips our thoughts and it becomes impossible for us to determine the exact instant when the I, under another form, continues the task of existence.”

2. “Our dreams are a second life.”

3. “Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.”

4. “I am the other.”

5. “I have never felt a placid hour, nor have I ever been able to sleep in peace.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a 19th-century writer, Gérard de Nerval did not amass a significant fortune, and details of his net worth are not well-documented. However, his influence and literary contributions have made him an enduring figure in French literature.