Arthur Rimbaud

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Arthur Rimbaud was born in the provincial town of Charleville (now part of Charleville-Mézières) in the Ardennes department in northeastern France, the second child of Frédéric Rimbaud (7 October 1814 – 16 November 1878), an infantry captain who had risen from the ranks, and Marie Catherine Vitalie Rimbaud (née Cuif; 10 March 1825 – 16 November 1907). His father was often absent due to military postings, including active service in the Crimean War and the Sardinian Campaign, and after Isabelle's birth in 1860 he stopped returning home on leave altogether; the separation was complete, though they never divorced. His mother was described as narrowminded, 'stingy and ... completely lacking in a sense of humour'; Arthur's private names for her included 'Mouth of Darkness' (bouche d'ombre) and the anglicism La Mother. Rimbaud excelled at school, winning eight first prizes in the French academic competitions in 1869, including the prize for Religious Education, and seven first prizes the following year. He began writing original verse in both French and Latin, encouraged by his tutor Father Ariste Lhéritier; his first poem to appear in print was 'Les Étrennes des orphelins' ('The Orphans' New Year's Gifts'), published in the 2 January 1870 issue of La Revue pour tous when he was just 15. During the Franco-Prussian War, he ran away by train to Paris without funds for his ticket, was arrested and locked up in Mazas Prison, and was later released into the care of his teacher Georges Izambard. He produced the bulk of his literary output during his late adolescence and early adulthood, including works such as A Season in Hell and Illuminations. Rimbaud had a hectic, sometimes violent romantic relationship with fellow poet Paul Verlaine, which lasted nearly two years. He completely stopped writing literature at age 20 after assembling Illuminations.

Reader's Guide

Rimbaud's significance lies in his profound influence on modern literature and arts, particularly in prefiguring surrealism. His transgressive and surreal themes broke from conventional poetic forms and opened new expressive possibilities. Although his literary career was brief—ending entirely by age 20—his works, such as A Season in Hell and Illuminations, became precursors to modernist literature. After retiring from writing, he traveled extensively across three continents as a merchant and explorer until his death from cancer just after his thirty-seventh birthday on 10 November 1891. His restless life and radical poetry have made him a lasting figure in literary history, inspiring generations of writers and artists. Rimbaud is well known for his contributions to symbolism and, among other works, for A Season in Hell.

Did You Know?

• Rimbaud's first published poem, 'Les Étrennes des orphelins', appeared in La Revue pour tous on 2 January 1870, when he was just 15.
• He won eight first prizes in French academic competitions in 1869, including the prize for Religious Education, and seven first prizes the following year.
• Rimbaud's private names for his mother included 'Mouth of Darkness' (bouche d'ombre) and the anglicism La Mother.
• After running away to Paris without a ticket, he was arrested and locked up in Mazas Prison for fare evasion and vagrancy.
• Rimbaud completely stopped writing literature at age 20 after assembling his last major work, Illuminations.