Honore de Balzac

Date of Birth: May 20, 1799

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: August 18, 1850

Biography

Honoré de Balzac was a prolific French novelist and playwright, born on May 20, 1799, in Tours, France. He is best known for his series of interconnected novels and stories titled “La Comédie Humaine,” which offers a detailed, unflinching portrayal of French society in the first half of the 19th century. Balzac’s keen observation, complex characters, and intricate plots have made him a towering figure in world literature. Balzac moved to Paris in 1814 to study law, but he soon abandoned his legal career to pursue writing. His early works, published under various pseudonyms, met with little success. However, he gained significant recognition with the publication of “Les Chouans” in 1829. Over the next two decades, he produced an astonishing volume of work, writing over 90 novels and short stories, as well as numerous plays and essays. Balzac’s life was as dramatic as his fiction. He was known for his extravagant lifestyle and was perpetually in debt. Despite his financial struggles, he maintained a rigorous writing schedule, often working for 14-16 hours a day fueled by copious amounts of coffee. He married Ewelina Hańska, a wealthy Polish countess, in 1850, shortly before his death. Honoré de Balzac passed away on August 18, 1850, in Paris, leaving behind an enduring literary legacy that continues to influence writers and readers around the world.

5 Interesting Facts about Honore de Balzac

1. Balzac often wrote from midnight until dawn, powered by up to 50 cups of coffee a day.

2. He was a precursor to the modern realist novel, influencing writers like Marcel Proust and Charles Dickens.

3. Balzac was also an unsuccessful businessman, attempting ventures in publishing, printing, and even silver mining.

4. He had a complex relationship with women, often reflecting his tumultuous love life in his works.

5. Balzac’s “La Comédie Humaine” consists of 91 finished works and 46 unfinished works.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Honore de Balzac

1. “Behind every great fortune lies a great crime.”

2. “The more one judges, the less one loves.”

3. “Solitude is fine, but you need someone to tell that solitude is fine.”

4. “Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies.”

5. “To those who have exhausted politics, nothing remains but abstract thought.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Honoré de Balzac never achieved significant financial success during his lifetime. He often struggled with debt due to his lavish lifestyle and failed business ventures.