Jorge Luis Borges

Date of Birth: August 24, 1899

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: June 14, 1986

Biography

Jorge Francisco Isidoro Luis Borges was an Argentine poet, essayist, short-story writer, and literary critic born on August 24, 1899, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is considered one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century, known for his complex and often paradoxical works that explore concepts such as infinity, reality, and identity. Borges came from a family with a rich literary heritage; his father was a lawyer and a psychology teacher who also wrote a novel, and his mother was a translator. Borges’ early education took place at home, where he learned English before Spanish. He later attended the Collège de Genève in Switzerland after his family moved there during World War I. Borges published his first book, a volume of poems titled “Fervor de Buenos Aires,” in 1923. Over the years, he expanded his literary repertoire to include essays, short stories, and literary criticism. His most famous works include “Ficciones” (1944) and “El Aleph” (1949), collections of short stories that blend fantasy and philosophical questions. Borges’ works often blur the lines between reality and fiction, employing intricate structures and narrative techniques. He faced significant challenges in his later life, including progressive blindness, but continued to write and contribute to literature until his death. Borges passed away on June 14, 1986, in Geneva, Switzerland.

5 Interesting Facts about Jorge Luis Borges

1. Borges became almost completely blind by the age of 55 due to a hereditary condition.

2. He never won the Nobel Prize in Literature, despite being a perennial favorite.

3. Borges served as the Director of the National Library of Argentina from 1955 to 1973.

4. His works have been translated into more than 25 languages.

5. Borges was deeply influenced by European literature, philosophy, and mythology.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jorge Luis Borges

1. “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.”

2. “I cannot sleep unless I am surrounded by books.”

3. “To fall in love is to create a religion that has a fallible god.”

4. “Reality is not always probable, or likely.”

5. “I am not sure that I exist, actually. I am all the writers that I have read, all the people that I have met, all the women that I have loved; all the cities I have visited.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jorge Luis Borges’ highest net worth is not well-documented, but he lived a modest life, often supported by academic positions and literary prizes rather than substantial financial success.