Paul Verlaine

Date of Birth: March 30, 1844

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: January 8, 1896

Biography

Paul Verlaine was a French poet associated with the Symbolist movement, which sought to express the unseen and the ineffable through evocative language and imagery. Born on March 30, 1844, in Metz, France, Verlaine moved to Paris with his family at an early age. He began writing poetry as a teenager and quickly became involved in the literary circles of the time. His first collection, “Poèmes saturniens,” published in 1866, established him as a significant new talent. Verlaine’s life was marked by tumultuous relationships and a struggle with alcoholism, which influenced much of his work. His stormy affair with fellow poet Arthur Rimbaud is particularly famous and was a source of both inspiration and despair. Verlaine’s poetry is characterized by its musicality and emotional depth, often exploring themes of love, melancholy, and the passage of time. Despite his personal challenges, Verlaine produced a substantial body of work, including “Romances sans paroles” and “Fêtes galantes.” His later years were spent in relative poverty, but he continued to write and was eventually recognized as one of France’s greatest poets. He died on January 8, 1896, in Paris.

5 Interesting Facts about Paul Verlaine

1. Paul Verlaine was a member of the Parnassian movement before becoming associated with Symbolism.

2. His relationship with Arthur Rimbaud was notoriously turbulent and included a violent incident where Verlaine shot Rimbaud in the wrist.

3. Verlaine was imprisoned for two years for the incident involving Rimbaud, during which he wrote some of his most poignant poetry.

4. He was elected “Prince of Poets” by his peers in 1894, a testament to his influence and legacy in French literature.

5. Verlaine struggled with severe alcoholism throughout his life, which contributed to his financial and personal difficulties.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Paul Verlaine

1. “Music before all else.”

2. “Take eloquence and wring its neck.”

3. “And the rest is only literature.”

4. “I am the Empire at the end of the decadence.”

5. “Passion is universal humanity. Without it religion, history, romance and art would be useless.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Paul Verlaine never achieved significant financial success during his lifetime. His net worth at the peak of his career is not well-documented but was modest due to his ongoing financial struggles.

Children

Paul Verlaine had one legitimate son, Georges Verlaine, born in 1871 to his wife Mathilde Mauté. Georges had a troubled relationship with his father and was largely raised by his mother after their separation.