Marcel Proust was born into an affluent and cultured family. His father was a prominent epidemiologist and his mother came from a wealthy Jewish family.

Suffered his first severe asthma attack, which would plague him throughout his life. His health would always be delicate, shaping his reclusive lifestyle.

Completed a year of voluntary military service before enrolling at the Sorbonne to study law and philosophy, attending lectures by Henri Bergson.

Co-founded the literary magazine Le Banquet with friends. He began frequenting Parisian salons, observing the aristocratic world he would later immortalize.

Published his first book, a collection of essays, stories, and poems. Though not commercially successful, it announced his literary ambitions.

Became fascinated with the art critic John Ruskin, translating two of his works into French. This deepened his thinking about art, memory, and time.

His father Adrien Proust died, followed by his beloved mother in 1905. Her death devastated him and triggered his withdrawal from society.

Began work on his masterpiece, initially conceived as a shorter work. It would expand over 14 years into a seven-volume novel of over 3,000 pages.

Moved into a cork-lined bedroom to block out noise and dust for his asthma. He would spend most of his remaining years writing in this room.

Published the first volume of In Search of Lost Time at his own expense after rejections. The famous madeleine scene introduced his exploration of memory.

Won the Prix Goncourt for the second volume, Within a Budding Grove. This brought him widespread recognition and financial success.

Published the third volume, continuing his exploration of memory, time, and French society. His fame spread across Europe.

Published the fourth volume, dealing explicitly with homosexuality. He continued revising the later volumes while his health declined.

Died from pneumonia in his cork-lined room. The final three volumes were published posthumously. In Search of Lost Time is considered one of the greatest novels ever written, transforming modern literature.