Origins & Early Life

Claude Eugène Henri Simon (French: [klod simɔ̃]; 10 October 1913 – 6 July 2005) was a French novelist and recipient of the 1985 Nobel Prize in Literature. Claude Simon was born in Tananarive on the isle of Madagascar. His parents were French, and his father was a career officer who was killed in the First World War. He grew up with his mother and her family in Perpignan in the middle of the wine district of Roussillon.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Among his ancestors was a general from the time of the French Revolution. After secondary school at Collège Stanislas in Paris, he took courses in painting at André Lhote's academy. At 21, Simon inherited a small fortune that made him economically independent. In 1935-1936 he made his military service at the 31st cavalry regiment in Lunéville. In 1936 he went to Barcelona and volunteered in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This experience as well as those from the Second World War show up in his literary work. Simon began writing in 1936. In 1937 he travelled extensively through Spain, Germany, the Soviet Union, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Claude Simon was called up by the French army in August 1939, just before the outbreak of...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Camus — Contemporary (Born in 1913) (1913): Philosopher and writer known for Absurdism, The Stranger, and The Plague.
• Albert Ellis — Contemporary (Born in 1913) (1913): Pioneering figure in psychotherapy, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Alfred Russel Wallace — Contemporary (Died in 1913) (1913): Naturalist and explorer who independently conceived the theory of evolution.
• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Contemporary (Died in 2005) (2005): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances.
• Anthony Barber — Contemporary (Died in 2005) (2005): British Conservative politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1970-1974)
• Arthur Miller — Contemporary (Died in 2005) (2005): A towering figure of 20th-century American theater and essayist.
• Abdul Qadeer Khan — Shared historical date (10-10 · Died) (2021): Pakistani nuclear physicist, known as the 'father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program'
• Abel Tasman — Shared historical date (10-10 · Died) (1659): Dutch explorer famed for charting Tasmania and New Zealand for the VOC.
• 14th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (07-06 · Born) (1935): Spiritual leader of Tibet and head of Tibetan Buddhism since 1940.
• 50 Cent — Shared historical date (07-06 · Born) (1975): Iconic rapper, actor, and entrepreneur known for raw storytelling and business acumen.
• 1913 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1913
• October 10 (10-10) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 10
• 2005 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2005
• July 6 (07-06) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 6