Paul Verlaine
(1844–1896)

Hailed for his beautiful lyric poetry, Paul Verlaine took his place among friends as one of the foremost French Symbolists of his time. In his work, Verlaine represented personal sensation and experiences through brilliant and intricate symbolization. Many of his verses and sonnet sequences convey romantic, artistic, and religious inspiration in a hauntingly musical manner.

Over time, Verlaine formed advantageous connections with other well-known writers such as Charles Baudelaire, Arthur Rimbaud, and Victor Hugo. He was imprisoned in Belgium for shooting Rimbaud, a friend with whom he quarreled frequently. Still, he continued to write religious poetry in prison, some of which was published in the work Sagesse in 1918.

Later in life, Verlaine publicized the unconventional beliefs of the Symbolists and insisted upon a decadent and bohemian lifestyle. Nevertheless, in 1894, two years before his death and public funeral, people showed their appreciation for the delicacy of his verse, and Verlaine was revered as the Prince of Poets.

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