Quick Facts
French prodigy who revolutionized poetry before abandoning it at nineteen, whose visionary verse and scandalous life with Verlaine made him the eternal symbol of youthful genius and rebellion.
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Life Journey
Born Jean Nicolas Arthur Rimbaud on October 20, 1854, in Charleville, a dull provincial town. His father, a military captain, abandoned the family. His mother was strict and cold.
Began writing precociously brilliant verse in Latin and French. His teachers recognized exceptional talent. The provincial boy was already dreaming of Paris.
Ran away to Paris during the Franco-Prussian War, was arrested for traveling without a ticket. Returned home but continued to write revolutionary poetry.
Wrote 'Le Bateau Ivre' (The Drunken Boat), one of the greatest poems in the French language. At sixteen, he had already mastered a new kind of visionary poetry.
Sent poems to Paul Verlaine, who was stunned by their genius. 'Come, dear great soul,' Verlaine wrote back. Rimbaud came to Paris and changed everything.
Began his scandalous relationship with the married Paul Verlaine. The two poets lived wildly, drank absinthe, and created poetry that would revolutionize literature.
Wandered through Belgium and England with Verlaine. The relationship was violent and obsessive. They drank, fought, reconciled, and wrote extraordinary poetry.
In Brussels, during a quarrel, Verlaine shot Rimbaud in the wrist. Verlaine was imprisoned. Rimbaud, nineteen years old, began withdrawing from poetry.
Published 'Une Saison en Enfer' (A Season in Hell) at his own expense. The autobiographical prose poem documented his psychological and spiritual crisis. Almost no one read it.
Completed 'Illuminations,' his collection of prose poems. But Rimbaud was already abandoning literature. He gave the manuscripts to Verlaine and walked away.
Met Verlaine one last time in Stuttgart. The encounter ended in violence. Rimbaud would never see Verlaine again and would never write another poem.
Arrived in Aden, then moved to Harar in Ethiopia. Became a trader dealing in coffee, ivory, and weapons. The visionary poet became a practical businessman.
Established himself as a trader in Harar. He never wrote poetry, rarely mentioned his past, and seemed content in his African exile. In Paris, his legend grew.
Developed a painful tumor in his right knee. The pain became unbearable. He was carried across the desert on a litter, desperate to reach medical care.
Arthur Rimbaud died on November 10, 1891, in Marseille. His leg had been amputated, but cancer had spread. He was thirty-seven. His sister said he died asking for passage back to Harar.