Charles Baudelaire
Charles Baudelaire (Charles Pierre Baudelaire) was born on April 9th, 1821. Charles passed away August 31st, 1867 at 46 years old. Charles Baudelaire was born in Paris, France. Baudelaire attended the Lycée Louis-le-Grand where he received a law degree.
Charles Baudelaire was a French essayist, poet, translator, and critic, renowned for his masterful use of rhyme and rhythm and his integration of exotic, Romantic-inspired elements into his works, often grounded in acute real-life observations. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential poets of the 19th century and a pioneer of modern poetry.
One of his most celebrated works is the poetry collection
The Flowers of Evil (
Les Fleurs du mal), which examines the shifting nature of beauty amidst the sweeping industrial and cultural changes of mid-19th-century Paris. These transformations were epitomized by the renovation of the city under Baron Haussmann. Baudelaire's innovative prose-poetry style significantly influenced later poets such as Paul Verlaine, Stéphane Mallarmé, and Arthur Rimbaud. He is often credited with introducing the concept of "modernity" and is regarded by many scholars as the first Modernist.
Baudelaire's literary career began with his first published work,
Salon of 1845, an art review written under the pseudonym Baudelaire Dufays. It drew attention for its daring opinions and marked the beginning of his deep involvement in the artistic and cultural scene of his time.
The Flowers of Evil is often hailed as the most influential poetry collection of the 19th century. T.S. Eliot described it as the “greatest exemplar in modern poetry,” noting its exploration of the darker, more troubling aspects of urban life. Translator Aaron Poochigian has brought new vitality to this challenging work, preserving Baudelaire’s lyrical style and capturing the haunting, brooding tone of the original poems.
The collection delves into themes such as death, sex, lost innocence, melancholy, and the corruption of urban existence. Baudelaire boldly addressed taboo subjects like lesbian love and interwove sacred and profane imagery. His evocative descriptions of scents and fragrances heightened the emotional intimacy and nostalgia of his verse.
Despite its artistic brilliance,
The Flowers of Evil faced fierce criticism and legal action upon its publication for being scandalous and immoral. Several poems were censored, though the book quickly gained a small but devoted following. Its reception among contemporaries was mixed. Théodore de Banville described the reaction as one of both admiration and unease, while Gustave Flaubert, who endured similar scrutiny for his novel
Madame Bovary, praised Baudelaire for bringing renewed vigor to Romanticism.
Ultimately,
The Flowers of Evil transcended its initial controversy, cementing Baudelaire's reputation as a literary revolutionary who expanded the boundaries of poetic expression.
Charles Baudelaire: Awards & Accolades
Baudelaire's book, Chloe Plus Olivia was nominated for the Stonewall Book Award, Non-fiction, in 1995.
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Charles Baudelaire: F.A.Q
When was Charles Baudelaire Born?
Charles Baudelaire was born on April 9th, 1821.
When did Charles Baudelaire die?
Charles Baudelaire died on August 31st, 1867 at 46 years old.
Where was Charles Baudelaire Born?
Charles Baudelaire was born in Paris, France.
What was the first book Charles Baudelaire wrote?
The first book written by Charles Baudelaire was The Poem of Hashish, published in 1851.
What was the most recent book Charles Baudelaire wrote?
His most recently released work was The Three Hills, and Other Poems (a short story) on August 2nd, 2022.
How many books has Charles Baudelaire written?
Charles Baudelaire has written 27 books excluding contributions to anthologies. 23 books in the Collections, 1 book in the Poetry, 2 books in the Non-Fiction Books, 1 book in the Everyman's Library Pocket Poets Series.