Guy de Maupassant

Date of Birth: August 5, 1850

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: July 6, 1893

Biography

Guy de Maupassant, born Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant, was a renowned French writer, widely considered one of the fathers of the modern short story. He was born in Normandy, France, and his literary career was significantly influenced by his mentor, Gustave Flaubert. Maupassant is best known for his masterful short stories, although he also wrote six novels, including “Bel-Ami” and “Pierre et Jean.” His works often depicted the complexities of human nature and were marked by their realistic and sometimes pessimistic tone. Maupassant’s career was prolific but tragically short due to his declining mental health, which led to his death at the age of 43.

5 Interesting Facts about Guy de Maupassant

1. Maupassant served in the Franco-Prussian War, which profoundly influenced his writing.

2. He wrote over 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books, and a volume of verse.

3. Maupassant was a protégé of Gustave Flaubert, who introduced him to the literary circles of Paris.

4. His first published story, “Boule de Suif” (Ball of Fat), is considered one of his masterpieces.

5. Maupassant suffered from syphilis, which eventually led to his mental decline and premature death.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Guy de Maupassant

1. “Our memory is a more perfect world than the universe: it gives back life to those who no longer exist.”

2. “It is the lives we encounter that make life worth living.”

3. “The essence of life is the smile of round female bottoms, under the shadow of cosmic boredom.”

4. “A legal kiss is never as good as a stolen one.”

5. “Patriotism is a kind of religion; it is the egg from which wars are hatched.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Maupassant achieved significant financial success during his lifetime, particularly due to the popularity of his short stories and novels. At the height of his career, his net worth was estimated to be around 500,000 French francs, which was a considerable sum at the time.