Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Jean Genet

Role / Field:

Influential French writer, poet, and playwright known for themes of transgression and identity.

Born:

1910-12-19

Died:

1986-04-14

Century / Era:

1910s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Jean Genet (; French: [ʒɑ̃ ʒənɛ]; (1910-12-19)19 December 1910 – (1986-04-15)15 April 1986) was a French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist. In his early life he was a vagabond and petty criminal, but he later became a writer and playwright, often creating works inspired by his experience. His major works include the novels The Thief's Journal and Our Lady of the Flowers and the plays The Balcony, The Maids and The Screens. Genet's mother was a prostitute who raised him for the first seven months of his life before placing him for adoption.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Thereafter Genet was raised in the provincial town of Alligny-en-Morvan, in the Nièvre department of central France. His foster family was headed by a carpenter and, according to Edmund White's biography, was loving and attentive. While he received excellent grades in school, his childhood involved a series of attempts at running away and incidents of petty theft. For this and other misdemeanors, including repeated acts of vagrancy, he was sent at the age of 15 to Mettray Penal Colony, where he was detained between 2 September 1926 and 1 March 1929. In...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Adolph Caesar — Contemporary (Died in 1986) (1986): Acclaimed American actor known for his deep voice and Off-Broadway staple status.
• Albert Szent-Györgyi — Contemporary (Died in 1986) (1986): Pioneering Hungarian biochemist, Nobel laureate for Vitamin C and muscle research.
• Al-Ghazali — Shared historical date (12-19 · Died) (1111): Influential Sunni polymath, theologian, and mystic of the 11th century.
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• Adrien Brody — Shared historical date (04-14 · Born) (1973): Acclaimed American actor known for intense, emotionally charged character portrayals.
• 1910 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1910
• December 19 (12-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 19
• 1986 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1986
• April 14 (04-14) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on April 14

Frequently Asked Questions about Jean Genet