About
Robert Desnos (1900-1945) was a French poet and a major figure of Surrealism. Born in Paris, he joined André Breton's group in 1922 and was renowned for his ability to enter hypnotic trances and produce automatic writing. He published significant works such as 'Corps et biens' (1930). After breaking with the group in 1929, he pursued a career as a journalist and advertising copywriter. During World War II, he joined the French Resistance and wrote poems under pseudonyms. Arrested by the Gestapo in 1944, he was deported and died of typhus at Theresienstadt in 1945, shortly after the camp's liberation.
* 1900-07-04 — † 1945-06-08
Major works
- Rrose Sélavy (1922)poetry collection
- Deuil pour deuil (1924)poetic prose
- La Liberté ou l'amour! (1927)novel
- Corps et biens (1930)poetry collection
- Chantefables (1944)poetry collection
Key milestones
- 1922Joined André Breton's Surrealist group.
- 1942Joined the French Resistance.
- 1944Arrested by the Gestapo and deported.
Themes
surrealismlovefreedomdreamresistance
Sources: britannica.com · buchenwald.de · poetryfoundation.org