Saint-John Perse

Date of Birth: May 31, 1887

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: September 20, 1975

Biography

Saint-John Perse, born Alexis Leger on May 31, 1887, in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, was a renowned French poet-diplomat. His literary work is celebrated for its lyrical and epic qualities, often delving into themes of nature, the human condition, and the metaphysical. Leger’s family moved to France when he was young, and he pursued studies in Bordeaux and Paris, eventually earning a law degree. Leger joined the French diplomatic service in 1914, where he served in various capacities, including as Secretary General of the French Foreign Office from 1933 to 1940. His diplomatic career was marked by his strong opposition to totalitarian regimes, particularly Nazi Germany. However, with the German occupation of France during World War II, he was dismissed from his position and went into exile in the United States, where he continued his literary pursuits under the pen name Saint-John Perse. In 1960, Saint-John Perse was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for the soaring flight and evocative imagery of his poetry, which reflected the experience of an entire era. He continued to write and publish poetry until his death on September 20, 1975, in Giens, France.

5 Interesting Facts about Saint-John Perse

1. Saint-John Perse was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1960.

2. He was a close friend of American poet Archibald MacLeish.

3. His diplomatic career was cut short due to his anti-Nazi stance during World War II.

4. Perse’s poetry often explored themes of exile, which mirrored his own life experiences.

5. His works have been translated into numerous languages, making him a globally recognized literary figure.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Saint-John Perse

1. “Poetry is the art of being and remaining human.”

2. “Man is a stream whose source is hidden. Our being is descending into us from we know not whence.”

3. “The poet is a man of truth, but not necessarily a man of fact.”

4. “One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.”

5. “To see is to forget the name of the thing one sees.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Highest net worth achieved: While specific financial details about Saint-John Perse’s net worth are not well-documented, his wealth was primarily intellectual and cultural rather than monetary.