Famous After Death - Aloysius Bertrand

Famous After Death

Aloysius Bertrand is often credited for introducing the world to the prose poem. He was a manager at a newspaper and was recognised for his articles. He even drew notice from famous people like author, Victor Hugo.

However, he was to die early, aged 34, with his one only book of poetry, Gaspard of the Night, rejected. 

''This dreamlike work, which brings the Middle Ages to life through dark and whimsical imagery.'' The subject matter wasn't considered appropriate for the times.

He was born in Italy in 1807 and died in Paris in 1841. The latter part of his life was a turbulent time for France. The French Revolution had taken place and only certain types of writing were allowed. (A lot more to it of course).

He died of tuberculosis following starvation. Terribly sad. His book was published posthumously the following year. Eventually it found its way to famous writers like Charles Baudelaire who championed it, but it wasn't until the twentieth century that he found his everlasting fame at last. Becoming another creative in a long line whose work was not acknowledged in their lifetime.

(translated from French)

To Mr. Charles Nodier

The man is a pendulum which strikes a coin with its
corner. The quadruple bears the emperor's imprint,
the Pope's Medal, the Fool's Token.

I mark my token at this game of life where we lose
blow after blow and where the devil, to end it, moans
players, dice and green carpet.

The emperor dictates orders to his captains, the pope
addresses bubbles to Christendom, and the fool writes a
delivered.

My book, here it is as I made it and as we
must read it, before commentators obscure it-
cries of their clarifications.

But it is not these suffering pages, humble
labor ignored by the present days, which will add some
chandelier with the poetic fame of days gone by.

And the minstrel's wild rose will be wilted that will bloom
always the wallflower, every spring, in the Gothic
windows of castles and monasteries.

A common thread amongst these stories, and I've researched many (see link below), is how their work was championed by others after their death. Somehow they got it into the hands of people with influence. Connection is still the most important factor of getting work published, aside from the initial talent.

It also takes a recognition of quality and many don't have that. 

What of those who were not connected? What of the work that was not recognised and was left unread, undisocvered, or if championed, unable to put directly into the right hands?
From John Kennedy Toole, to Emily Dickinson to our friend above, their work was put into the right hands.

How much great work never saw the light of day? Perhaps the world's best poetry, novels,  even music, was lost to obscurity. We'll never know but surely an awful amount was never discovered. That's a tragedy. 

Coming in three weeks,

My unproduced feature length screenplay, Travel Bug, based on some of my travels when I was young. Written approx. 2005. Controversial and funny, though not for the highbrow crowd.

AJL YouTube

My Poetry

More Famous After Death

AJL Books