Albert Camus (1913-1960) was a French-Algerian philosopher, author, and journalist. Known for his contributions to existentialism and absurdism, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957. His notable works include “The Stranger” and “The Plague.”
Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Albert Camus |
| Birth Date | 7 November 1913 |
| Death Date | 4 January 1960 |
| Nationality | French |
| Professions | Philosopher, Author, Dramatist, Journalist, World Federalist, Political Activist |
| Nobel Prize | 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature |
| Notable Works | The Stranger, The Plague, The Myth of Sisyphus, The Fall, The Rebel |
| Birthplace | French Algeria |
| Education | University of Algiers (studied philosophy) |
| World War II | Joined French Resistance, Editor-in-Chief at Combat |
| Political Stance | Opposed Joseph Stalin and Soviet Union, Advocated for European Integration, Neutral during Algerian War |
| Philosophical Views | Absurdism, Often associated with Existentialism but rejected the term |
| Personal Life | Married twice, many extramarital affairs |
Early Life
Albert Camus was born on November 7, 1913, in Mondovi, a small town in French Algeria. His father, Lucien Camus, was an agricultural worker who died in the Battle of the Marne during World War I when Albert was just a year old. Consequently, Albert was raised by his mother, Catherine Hélène Sintès, who was of Spanish descent and partially deaf. The family lived in a poor neighborhood of Algiers, where Catherine worked as a cleaning woman to support Albert and his older brother. Despite their financial hardships, Camus excelled academically, earning a scholarship to attend the prestigious Lycée Bugeaud and later the University of Algiers. His early life in Algeria, marked by both the beauty of the Mediterranean environment and the stark realities of colonial poverty, profoundly influenced his philosophical outlook and literary works.
Family
| Name | Relation | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Lucien Camus | Father | Lucien Camus was a poor agricultural worker. He died in 1914 during World War I, when Albert was only one year old. |
| Catherine Hélène Sintès | Mother | Catherine was of Spanish descent and worked as a cleaning woman to support her family after her husband’s death. She was partially deaf and illiterate. |
| Lucien Camus (brother) | Sibling | Albert Camus had an older brother named Lucien, who played a significant role in his early life. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Chest Size | Unknown |
| Waist Size | Unknown |
| Hip Size | Unknown |
| Shoe Size | Unknown |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Albert Camus is no longer alive. He passed away on January 4, 1960. At the time of his death, he was married to his second wife, Francine Faure.
Francine Faure
Francine Faure was a pianist and mathematician. She married Albert Camus in 1940. The couple had twins, Catherine and Jean.
| Name | Relationship Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Simone Hié | First Wife | Camus married Simone Hié in 1934, but their marriage was troubled due to her morphine addiction and infidelities. They divorced in 1936. |
| Maria Casarès | Girlfriend | Maria Casarès was a Spanish-born French actress. Camus and Casarès had an on-and-off romantic relationship that began in 1944 and continued until his death. |
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Albert Camus became famous primarily through his philosophical writings and novels that explored existential themes. His works often delved into the human condition, absurdity, and rebellion, capturing the attention of readers worldwide. His unique perspective on existentialism and his clear, concise writing style contributed significantly to his rise in fame.
Albert Camus’s career began in journalism, but he soon shifted to literature and philosophy. Some of his most popular works include:
- The Stranger (1942) – A novel that explores existentialism and the absurdity of life.
- The Myth of Sisyphus (1942) – A philosophical essay that introduces his concept of the absurd.
- The Plague (1947) – A novel that uses a fictional plague to explore themes of suffering and human resilience.
- The Fall (1956) – A novel that delves into themes of guilt and redemption.
- The Rebel (1951) – A philosophical analysis of rebellion and revolution.
Albert Camus received several awards throughout his career, with the most notable being:
- Nobel Prize in Literature (1957) – Awarded “for his important literary production, which with clear-sighted earnestness illuminates the problems of the human conscience in our time.”
Albert Camus was no stranger to controversy. Some of the major controversies surrounding him include:
- His philosophical disagreements with Jean-Paul Sartre, particularly on the topic of Marxism and the role of the intellectual in society. Their rift was highly publicized and became a significant intellectual feud of the 20th century.
- Criticism for his stance on the Algerian War of Independence. As an Algerian-born Frenchman, Camus found himself in a difficult position. He advocated for a peaceful resolution and condemned both French colonialism and Algerian terrorism, which led to criticism from both sides.
- Accusations of inconsistency in his philosophical views, particularly regarding his thoughts on absurdism and rebellion.
