Henri Barbusse

Date of Birth: May 17, 1873

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: August 30, 1935

Biography

Henri Barbusse was a French novelist, journalist, and a fervent pacifist best known for his influential anti-war novel “Le Feu” (“Under Fire”). Born on May 17, 1873, in Asnières-sur-Seine, France, Barbusse’s life and works were deeply influenced by his experiences during World War I. He enlisted in the French Army and served on the front lines, where the horrors of war profoundly impacted him and inspired much of his literary work. “Le Feu,” published in 1916, earned him the Prix Goncourt and was celebrated for its raw and unflinching portrayal of the realities of trench warfare. Beyond his literary contributions, Barbusse was a staunch socialist and later a member of the Communist Party. He was heavily involved in political activism and journalism, using his platform to advocate for peace and social justice. Barbusse passed away on August 30, 1935, in Moscow, Soviet Union, where he had moved due to his political affiliations and to continue his work.

5 Interesting Facts about Henri Barbusse

1. Henri Barbusse won the prestigious Prix Goncourt in 1916 for his novel “Le Feu” (“Under Fire”).

2. He was a staunch pacifist and socialist, and he was deeply involved in political activism throughout his life.

3. Barbusse joined the French Army during World War I and served in the trenches, experiences which greatly influenced his writing.

4. Later in life, Barbusse became a member of the French Communist Party and moved to the Soviet Union.

5. He was a close friend of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and wrote a biography of him titled “Stalin: A New World Seen Through the Man.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henri Barbusse

1. “One cannot weep for the entire world, it is beyond human strength. One must choose.”

2. “Two armies that fight each other is like one large army that commits suicide.”

3. “Civilization is the distance man has placed between himself and his own excreta.”

4. “War is a series of catastrophes that results in a victory.”

5. “The human heart has hidden treasures, in secret kept, in silence sealed; the thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, whose charms were broken if revealed.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Henri Barbusse’s highest net worth is not explicitly documented, but his significant literary achievements and political engagements suggest he held considerable influence and moderate wealth during his lifetime.