Guy de Maupassant

Guy de Maupassant - Short Story Writers, Timeline and Family

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Guy de Maupassant Biography Stories 

Guy de Maupassant's Personal Details

Guy de Maupassant was an acclaimed French short story writer and novelist

InformationDetail
BirthdayAugust 5, 1850
Died onJuly 6, 1893
NationalityFrench
FamousWriters, Poets, Novelists, Short Story Writers, Novelists, Short Story Writers
SiblingsCreig de Maupassant, Hervé de Maupassant
Known asHenri René Albert Guy de Maupassant
Universities
  • Lycée Pierre-Corneille
Birth Placechâteau de Miromesnil, France
GenderMale
FatherGustave de Maupassant
MotherLaure Le Poittevin
Sun SignLeo
Born inchâteau de Miromesnil, France
Famous asNovelist & Short Story Writer
Died at Age42

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Guy de Maupassant's photo

Who is Guy de Maupassant?

Widely regarded as the ‘Father of Modern Short Story’ writing, Guy de Maupassant was one of the greatest French writers in the 19th century. His stories strikingly captured various aspects of day-to-day life in France during that time. Many of his stories were based on the Franco-Prussian War and the lives of innocent people who were caught in it. His writing belonged to the genre of naturalism. He has written more than 300 short stories, six novels, travel books and also a book of poetry. Some of his well-known works include, ‘Boule de Suif', 'Pierre et Jean', 'Bel Ami', ‘La Parure’ , 'Deux Amis', 'Mother Savage', and 'Mademoiselle Fifi'. Soon after graduation, Maupassant served as a volunteer in the Franco-Prussian War, after which he pursued a career as a civil servant working in the Navy Department and the Ministry of Public Instruction. He also wrote under various pen names - Guy de Valmont and Joseph Prunier. Unfortunately, in his 20s he began to suffer from syphilis, which caused him much mental agony and trouble for the rest of his living years.

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Childhood & Early Life

Henri Rene Albert Guy de Maupassant was born in Tourville-sur-Arques, France. His parents Laure Le Poittevin and Gustave de Maupassant were both from affluent families.

When he was eleven years old, his mother separated from his father. He lived under the care of his mother. He was very devoted to his mother, who was a well-read woman with a passion for classical literature.

When he was thirteen, he went to learn classical studies at the Yvetot seminary for a brief period. He later attended the Institution Leroy-Petit, in Rouen, a private school.

In 1867, he began high school, during which time he became friendly with French writer, Gustave Flaubert. The following year, he went to the Lyc�e Pierre-Corneille School, where he took part in drama and became passionate about poetry.

In 1868, when he was eighteen, he saved the life of poet Algernon Charles Swinburne, rescuing the latter from drowning off the coast of Etretat. After his graduation, he became a volunteer in the Franco-Prussian War.

From 1871, he went to Paris and started working as a clerk in the Navy Department. He would spend the next ten years of his life, serving in this position.

French writer, Gustave Flaubert played a pivotal role in guiding him through his earlier days in literature and journalism. It was in the latter’s home that he met many writers, including Emile Zola and Ivan Turgenev.

In 1878, he was transferred to the Ministry of Public Instruction. He also started working as a contributory editor to the newspapers, ‘Le Figaro, Gil Blas’, ‘Le Gaulois’ and’ l'Echo de Paris’.

Career

In 1880, his acclaimed short story, ‘Boule de Suif' was published. This was the first of his stories that was cantered on the Franco-Prussian War. His subsequent short stories include, 'Deux Amis' and ‘Mother Savage'.

In 1881, he came out with 'La Maison Tellier', his first collection of short stories. The following year, his book of short stories titled, ‘Mademoiselle Fifi' was published.

In 1883, he published his novel, ‘Une Vie', which sold more than 25,000 copies. The same year, he came out with his short story titled, ‘La Ficelle'.

In 1884, his short story ‘La mere Sauvage' and 'La Parure' was published. The following year, his novel, ‘Bel Ami’ was published. It was about the story of a journalist in Paris.

On February 17, 1884, his short story titled, ‘La Parure' was published in the French newspaper called, 'Le Gaulois'. This story is one of his most well-known works.

In 1887, he came out with the short horror story titled, ‘Le Horla'. The story was written in the form of journal. That year, he also came out with a novella, ‘Le Rosier de Madame Husson'.

Between June and September 1887, he authored one his well-known naturalist novels, ‘Pierre et Jean'. The novel comes under the realist genre and was one of the shortest of his novels.

In 1890, he authored the short story 'L'Inutile Beaut�’. The same year, he came out with the novel, ‘Notre Cœur'. He also authored a travel book titled, ‘La Vie errante'.

Major Works

His seminal work, ‘La Parure’ remains one of his most famous short stories. The story is particularly known for its surprising ending. In 2007, it was produced at the Edinburgh Festival.

His magnum opus, 'Boule de Suif' is widely revered as one of his best short stories. This short story was made into an opera named, ‘The Greater Good’ in 2006.

Personal Life & Legacy

It is widely believed that from 1880 to 1886, he was in a relationship with a woman named, Gisele Estoc.

He was also romantically involved with a woman named, Josephine Litzelmann.

He fathered three children - Honore Lucien Litzelmann, Jeanne Lucienne Litzelmann and Marthe Marguerite Litzelmann.

He suffered from Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that he contracted in his youth.

He suffered from mental problems and tried to commit suicide by slitting his throat in 1892. He was later admitted into a private mental institute, Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris.

He died at the age of 42 in Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris. He was laid to rest at the Cimetiere du Montparnasse, Paris.

In 1894, he became the subject of Leo Tolstoy’s book ‘The Works of Guy de Maupassant'.

Trivia

This acclaimed French short story writer and novelist was one among 46 Parisian literary and artistic people, who wrote a letter to the Minister of Public Works in Paris in protest of the construction of the Eiffel Tower.

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Guy de Maupassant biography timelines

  • // 5th Aug 1850
    Henri Rene Albert Guy de Maupassant was born in Tourville-sur-Arques, France. His parents Laure Le Poittevin and Gustave de Maupassant were both from affluent families.
  • // 1867
    In 1867, he began high school, during which time he became friendly with French writer, Gustave Flaubert. The following year, he went to the Lyc�e Pierre-Corneille School, where he took part in drama and became passionate about poetry.
  • // 1868
    In 1868, when he was eighteen, he saved the life of poet Algernon Charles Swinburne, rescuing the latter from drowning off the coast of Etretat. After his graduation, he became a volunteer in the Franco-Prussian War.
  • // 1871
    From 1871, he went to Paris and started working as a clerk in the Navy Department. He would spend the next ten years of his life, serving in this position.
  • // 1878
    In 1878, he was transferred to the Ministry of Public Instruction. He also started working as a contributory editor to the newspapers, ‘Le Figaro, Gil Blas’, ‘Le Gaulois’ and’ l'Echo de Paris’.
  • // 1880
    In 1880, his acclaimed short story, ‘Boule de Suif' was published. This was the first of his stories that was cantered on the Franco-Prussian War. His subsequent short stories include, 'Deux Amis' and ‘Mother Savage'.
  • // 1880 To 1886
    It is widely believed that from 1880 to 1886, he was in a relationship with a woman named, Gisele Estoc.
  • // 1881
    In 1881, he came out with 'La Maison Tellier', his first collection of short stories. The following year, his book of short stories titled, ‘Mademoiselle Fifi' was published.
  • // 1883
    In 1883, he published his novel, ‘Une Vie', which sold more than 25,000 copies. The same year, he came out with his short story titled, ‘La Ficelle'.
  • // 1884
    In 1884, his short story ‘La mere Sauvage' and 'La Parure' was published. The following year, his novel, ‘Bel Ami’ was published. It was about the story of a journalist in Paris.
  • // 17th Feb 1884
    On February 17, 1884, his short story titled, ‘La Parure' was published in the French newspaper called, 'Le Gaulois'. This story is one of his most well-known works.
  • // 1887
    In 1887, he came out with the short horror story titled, ‘Le Horla'. The story was written in the form of journal. That year, he also came out with a novella, ‘Le Rosier de Madame Husson'.
  • // 1887
    Between June and September 1887, he authored one his well-known naturalist novels, ‘Pierre et Jean'. The novel comes under the realist genre and was one of the shortest of his novels.
  • // 1890
    In 1890, he authored the short story 'L'Inutile Beaut�’. The same year, he came out with the novel, ‘Notre Cœur'. He also authored a travel book titled, ‘La Vie errante'.
  • // 1892
    He suffered from mental problems and tried to commit suicide by slitting his throat in 1892. He was later admitted into a private mental institute, Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris.
  • // 6th Jul 1893
    He died at the age of 42 in Esprit Blanche at Passy, in Paris. He was laid to rest at the Cimetiere du Montparnasse, Paris.
  • // 1894
    In 1894, he became the subject of Leo Tolstoy’s book ‘The Works of Guy de Maupassant'.
  • // 2006
    His magnum opus, 'Boule de Suif' is widely revered as one of his best short stories. This short story was made into an opera named, ‘The Greater Good’ in 2006.
  • // 2007
    His seminal work, ‘La Parure’ remains one of his most famous short stories. The story is particularly known for its surprising ending. In 2007, it was produced at the Edinburgh Festival.

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Guy de Maupassant's FAQ

  • What is Guy de Maupassant birthday?

    Guy de Maupassant was born at 1850-08-05

  • When was Guy de Maupassant died?

    Guy de Maupassant was died at 1893-07-06

  • Where was Guy de Maupassant died?

    Guy de Maupassant was died in Esprit Blanche, Passy, Paris,

  • Which age was Guy de Maupassant died?

    Guy de Maupassant was died at age 42

  • Where is Guy de Maupassant's birth place?

    Guy de Maupassant was born in château de Miromesnil, France

  • What is Guy de Maupassant nationalities?

    Guy de Maupassant's nationalities is French

  • Who is Guy de Maupassant siblings?

    Guy de Maupassant's siblings is Creig de Maupassant, Hervé de Maupassant

  • What was Guy de Maupassant universities?

    Guy de Maupassant studied at Lycée Pierre-Corneille

  • Who is Guy de Maupassant's father?

    Guy de Maupassant's father is Gustave de Maupassant

  • Who is Guy de Maupassant's mother?

    Guy de Maupassant's mother is Laure Le Poittevin

  • What is Guy de Maupassant's sun sign?

    Guy de Maupassant is Leo

  • How famous is Guy de Maupassant?

    Guy de Maupassant is famouse as Novelist & Short Story Writer