# Charles Baudelaire

> French poet and critic (1821–1867)

**Wikidata**: [Q501](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q501)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Baudelaire)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charles-baudelaire

## Summary

Charles Baudelaire was born on April 9, 1821, in the former 11th arrondissement of Paris [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. He was a French citizen [14] and pursued his education at Lycée Louis-le-Grand and Lycée Saint-Louis . His professional roles included poet, art critic, essayist, translator, writer, and literary critic [15][13][16][17][18][19].He died on August 31, 1867, in Paris [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][9][10][11][12][18][20][16]. Baudelaire's contributions to literature and criticism were shaped by his formal schooling and his multifaceted career [15][13][16][17][18][19]. He was buried at Montparnasse Cemetery .

## Summary
Charles Baudelaire (1821–1867) was a French poet, art critic, and translator best known for his volume of poetry *Les Fleurs du mal* and his association with the Decadent movement. His notable works include the prose poem collection *Le Spleen de Paris*, the essay *Les Paradis artificiels*, and the novella *La Fanfarlo*. A significant figure in 19th-century literature, he was educated at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and Lycée Saint-Louis and influenced by writers such as Edgar Allan Poe and Victor Hugo.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 9, 1821
- **Nationality**: French
- **Education**: Lycée Louis-le-Grand, Lycée Saint-Louis
- **Known for**: Poetry (*Les Fleurs du mal*), art criticism, and translation
- **Employer(s)**: Not specified in source
- **Field(s)**: Literature, poetry, art criticism

## Contributions
Charles Baudelaire's contributions to literature and the arts are marked by a diverse body of work that spans poetry, prose, and criticism.
- **Poetry**: He authored *Les Fleurs du mal*, a volume of French poetry with an inception date of 1840. He also wrote "The Albatross," a poem dating to 1842, and *Le Spleen de Paris*, a collection of prose poems.
- **Prose and Essays**: In 1860, he published *Les Paradis artificiels*, an essay. He also wrote the novella *La Fanfarlo*, which provides a fictionalized account of his love affair with the dancer Jeanne Duval.
- **Literary Movements**: His work is associated with the Decadent movement and the genre of elegy.
- **Translation and Criticism**: Baudelaire worked as a translator and was active as an art and literary critic.
- **Academic Recognition**: He participated in the Concours général, an annual French academic competition.

## FAQs
**What are Charles Baudelaire's most famous works?**
His most celebrated works include the poetry volume *Les Fleurs du mal*, the prose poem collection *Le Spleen de Paris*, the essay *Les Paradis artificiels*, the novella *La Fanfarlo*, and the poem "The Albatross."

**Where did Charles Baudelaire go to school?**
Baudelaire attended the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and the Lycée Saint-Louis in Paris.

**What literary movement is Charles Baudelaire associated with?**
He is closely associated with the Decadent movement and the genre of elegy.

**Who influenced Charles Baudelaire?**
He was influenced by a variety of figures including Edgar Allan Poe, Thomas De Quincey, Joseph de Maistre, Emmanuel Swedenborg, Victor Hugo, and Théophile Gautier.

**What professions did Charles Baudelaire practice?**
Baudelaire was a poet, writer, translator, art critic, literary critic, essayist, critic, and draftsperson.

## Why They Matter
Charles Baudelaire matters as a central figure in the Decadent movement and a pivotal contributor to 19th-century French literature. His work, particularly *Les Fleurs du mal*, expanded the boundaries of poetic expression and subject matter. His translations and critical essays introduced French audiences to foreign writers like Edgar Allan Poe, bridging literary cultures. His connections to major figures such as Victor Hugo, Gustave Flaubert, and Théophile Gautier place him at the intersection of significant literary developments of his era.

## Notable For
- Authoring *Les Fleurs du mal* (inception 1840).
- Writing *Les Paradis artificiels* (1860).
- Publishing *La Fanfarlo*, a novella based on his relationship with Jeanne Duval.
- Compiling *Le Spleen de Paris*, a collection of prose poems.
- Composing the poem "The Albatross" (inception 1842).
- Association with the Decadent movement and the genre of elegy.
- Occupations including poet, art critic, essayist, translator, writer, literary critic, critic, and draftsperson.
- Education at Lycée Louis-le-Grand and Lycée Saint-Louis.
- Receiving recognition in the Concours général.
- Having an asteroid named after him: 18611 Baudelaire.
- Work period spanning from 1844 to 1866.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Charles Baudelaire was born on April 9, 1821. He pursued his education at two prestigious institutions in Paris: the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and the Lycée Saint-Louis. His academic involvement included participation in the Concours général, an annual French academic competition for 11th and 12th-grade students.

### Literary Career and Major Works
Baudelaire's work period began in 1844 and continued until 1866. He produced a diverse body of work across poetry, prose, and criticism.
- **Poetry**: His most significant work is *Les Fleurs du mal*, a volume of French poetry with an inception date of 1840. He also wrote "The Albatross," a poem dating to 1842, and *Le Spleen de Paris*, a collection of prose poems.
- **Prose and Essays**: He authored *Les Paradis artificiels* in 1860, an essay exploring artificial paradises. His novella, *La Fanfarlo*, offers a fictionalized account of his love affair with the dancer Jeanne Duval.
- **Genres**: His work is associated with the Decadent movement and the genre of elegy.

### Professional Roles and Occupations
Baudelaire held multiple professional roles throughout his career. He was a poet, writer, and translator. He also worked as an art critic and literary critic, evaluating art and books. Additionally, he was an essayist and a draftsperson, creating drawings.

### Influences and Connections
Baudelaire's work was shaped by a variety of thinkers and writers. He was influenced by Edgar Allan Poe, Thomas De Quincey, Joseph de Maistre, Emmanuel Swedenborg, Victor Hugo, and Théophile Gautier. He maintained connections with other notable figures in literature and the arts, including Gustave Flaubert, Arthur Rimbaud, Joris-Karl Huysmans, and Walter Benjamin.

### Legacy and Recognition
Baudelaire's legacy is marked by his contributions to the Decadent movement and his influence on subsequent literary figures. An asteroid, 18611 Baudelaire, was named in his honor. He passed away on August 31, 1867.

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