Stephane Mallarme

Date of Birth: March 18, 1842

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: September 9, 1898

Biography

Stéphane Mallarmé, born Étienne Mallarmé, was a French poet and critic, a major figure in Symbolist literature. Born on March 18, 1842, in Paris, France, Mallarmé is noted for his complex and highly allusive poetry that aimed to evoke rather than describe. He was profoundly influenced by Charles Baudelaire and was a contemporary of Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud. Mallarmé’s career as a poet began while he was working as an English teacher in various French provincial towns. He eventually settled in Paris, where he became a central figure in the Symbolist movement. His home became a meeting place for poets, artists, and intellectuals of the time. He was known for his innovative use of language and form, which sought to capture the ineffable essence of subjects rather than their concrete details. His most famous works include “L’Après-midi d’un faune” (The Afternoon of a Faun), which inspired Claude Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, and the unfinished poem “Un coup de dés jamais n’abolira le hasard” (A Throw of the Dice Will Never Abolish Chance). Mallarmé’s influence extended beyond poetry to impact modernist literature and art.

5 Interesting Facts about Stephane Mallarme

1. Mallarmé’s work “L’Après-midi d’un faune” was a groundbreaking poem that inspired Claude Debussy to compose his famous musical piece, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun.

2. He was a central figure in the Symbolist movement, which sought to express the underlying essence of reality through symbols and abstract language.

3. Mallarmé held regular gatherings at his home, known as “Mardis” (Tuesdays), which were attended by many prominent artists and writers of his time.

4. His poem “Un coup de dés jamais n’abolira le hasard” is considered one of the first examples of modernist poetry due to its unconventional structure and use of blank space.

5. Mallarmé was also a translator and translated works by Edgar Allan Poe into French, helping to introduce Poe’s work to a broader European audience.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Stephane Mallarme

1. “To define is to kill. To suggest is to create.”

2. “The flesh is sad, alas! and I have read all the books.”

3. “Every soul is a melody which needs renewing.”

4. “Poetry is the language in which man explores his own amazement.”

5. “Everything in the world exists to end up in a book.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Stéphane Mallarmé’s net worth is not well-documented, but as a 19th-century poet and teacher, he did not achieve significant financial wealth during his lifetime.

Children

Stéphane Mallarmé had two children: 1. Geneviève Mallarmé (1864–1919), who was an accomplished painter and often illustrated her father’s works. 2. Anatole Mallarmé (1871–1879), who tragically died at a young age, an event that deeply affected Mallarmé.