Arthur Rimbaud was born today in writing history, October 20. Celebrate the poet’s birthday by learning more about his life and contributions to the literary world. Aspiring writers should also use this opportunity as a writing exercise. Look for inspiration today in writing history.
Today in Writing: October 20 – Arthur Rimbaud’s Birthday
Arthur Rimbaud was born on October 20, 1854, and is best known for his collection of poetry, Illuminations. Rimbaud’s brief but remarkable writing career left a lasting mark in the literary world and would help shape the coming generation of writers. Find your inspiration in the stories, works, and words in this installment of Today in Writing: October 20.
Writing Prompts for Today In Writing: October 20
Please take this opportunity to learn more about Arthur Rimbaud and his contributions to contemporary literature. Rimbaud’s poetry covers transgressive and surreal themes, which left a lasting mark on the writing world. Despite his massive influence, Rimbaud stopped writing when he was just 20.
What led Arthur Rimbaud to write? Where did the inspiration for his ideas come from? And what helped the poet create his writing style? Find inspiration about Rimbaud, learn more details about his life, and write!
Arthur Rimbaud Biography
Jean Nicolas Arthur Rimbaud was born in Charleville, France, on October 20, 1854, to Frédéric Rimbaud and Marie Catherine Vitalie Rimbaud. His father, an infantry captain, had risen through the ranks and was awarded the Legion of Honor for his service. Because of his military career, Frédéric was constantly away from home and missed significant family life events, like the birth of his children. The couple’s relationship was fraught, and Captain Rimbaud eventually stopped coming home altogether. Although never divorced, both Marie and Frédéric referred to themselves as widows.
Feelings on Education and an Overbearing Mother
Arthur Rimbaud and his brother were sent to Pension Rossat for their education. They were constantly pushed for academic success by Marie. Their mother would force her children to memorize Latin, write repeated lines, and punish mistakes by withholding meals. She would walk them home from school until they were teenagers.
Although he despised his mother’s supervision and classical education, Arthur Rimbaud was exceptionally bright. While he struggled in math and science, young Rimbaud won several academic competitions. His private tutor, Father Ariste Lhéritier, instilled a love of classical literature and encouraged the young poet to start writing. Rimbaud’s first published poem, Les Étrennes des Orphelins (The Orphans’ New Year’s Gifts), was printed in 1870 when he was 15.
Arthur Rimbaud’s Writing Career
In 1870, Arthur Rimbaud met Georges Izambard. At 22, Izambard was a new teacher who became Rimbaud’s mentor and close friend. The young educator encouraged the poet’s talents. Rimbaud would show Izambard his poem, Ophélie, which is often considered one of the poet’s best works of literature.
On July 19, 1870, the Franco-Prussian War broke out between France and Prussia. As tensions in the countryside rose, Arthur Rimbaud would take a train and run away to Paris. However, he was arrested on his arrival for fare evasion and vagrancy. By writing a letter to Izambard, the teacher was able to secure the poet’s release into his care. Upon returning home, Marie slapped her son in the face and berated his teacher.
Later that year, Arthur Rimbaud became increasingly provocative. He would stop maintaining his appearance, steal from local shops, and appear intoxicated in public. In a series of letters, the poet defended his actions, claiming that to write in his transcendent style, he had to dull his senses. Rimbaud would continue to write poetry while reaching out to other poets for a kindred spirit.
Paul Verlaine, poet and future leader of the Symbolist movement, responded to several of Rimbaud’s poems and invited the young poet to join him and his pregnant wife in Paris. In September 1871, Arthur Rimbaud lived with Verlaine, and the two would live a wild and vagrant-like lifestyle. The duo would move to London in 1872, where Rimbaud continued to produce his surrealist poetry. However, the relationship between the two poets would grow increasingly tense, ending in July 1873 when Verlaine, in a drunken rage, shot and wounded Rimbaud in the wrist.
Arthur Rimbaud, Illuminations
Rimbaud would assemble a collection of poems, Illuminations, between 1872 and 1875. Considered his most prolific work, it marked the end of the poet’s writing career. The poetry book would not be published until 1886, without the poet’s knowledge. Arthur Rimbaud would never know how impactful and studied his work would become.
Later Life and Death
Following the publication of Illuminations, Rimbaud stopped writing entirely, favoring steady office work. It was a move many of his contemporaries admonished. Albert Camus praised Rimbaud’s work, but scorned his resignation, writing there is nothing to admire, nothing noble or even genuinely adventurous, in a man who committed a “spiritual suicide,” became a “bourgeois trafficker,” and consented to the materialistic order of things.
In February 1891, Rimbaud developed discomfort in his right knee. Initially believed to be arthritis, the pain grew unbearable and did not respond to treatment. In a mistaken diagnosis of tubercular synovitis, the poet had his right leg amputated in May 1891. Following the operation, it was determined to be bone cancer.
Although he attempted to return to his travels following the surgery, Rimbaud’s health deteriorated after staying at his family’s farm that summer. Arthur Rimbaud passed away on November 10, 1891. He was 37.
10 Arthur Rimbaud Quotes
1. The only unbearable thing is that nothing is unbearable.
2. Life is the farce which everyone has to perform.
3. True alchemy lies in this formula: ‘Your memory and your senses are but the nourishment of your creative impulse’.
4. Eternity. It is the sea mingled with the sun.
5. I went out under the sky, Muse! and I was your vassal.
6. Genius is the recovery of childhood at will.
7. Once, if I remember well, my life was a feast where all hearts opened and all wines flowed.
8. I understand, and not knowing how to express myself without pagan words, I’d rather remain silent.
9. Morality is the weakness of the mind.
10. What is my nothingness to the stupor that awaits you?
Notable Arthur Rimbaud Works
Les Étrennes des Orphelins (1869)
Première Soirée (1870)
Le Rêve de Bismarck (1870
Le Dormeur du Val (1870)
Voyelles (1871 or 1872)
Le Bateau Ivre
Les Corbeaux (1871 or 1872)
Qu’est-ce pour nous mon cœur… (1872)
Une Saison en Enfer (1873)
Illuminations (1872–1875)
Today in Writing: October 20 – Daily Writing Exercise
Now that you have done some reading, it is time to write. Aspiring writers should look to the stories from Today in Writing: October 20 and Arthur Rimbaud’s life. Read his quotes and study his poetry to understand the author’s writing style.
Find a topic and freewrite for 10 minutes. Although he lived a short life, with an even shorter literary career, Rimbaud’s writing changed the literary scene. The young poet’s unique take on prose would make him an icon, yet he never knew the full impact of his work. Aspiring writers should pay homage to his short-lived inspiration and start writing.
Don’t let any opportunity to write go to waste. Aspiring writers: Practice your writing today. Celebrate Today in Writing History October 20.
Leave a Reply