Jean Cocteau
Jean Cocteau was born to a wealthy family on July 5, 1889 in Maison-Laffitte, a small village near Paris. His father committed suicide when he was 9 years old, and in 1900, he entered a private school but was expelled in 1904. After expulsion, he ran away to Marseilles. He published his first volume of poems, Aladdin's Lamp at the age of 19. In the early 1910s, Cocteau became associated with members of the Parisian avant-garde and collaborated with Léon Bakst and the Ballets Russes. Cocteau is known for his poetry, books, plays, art, and films. Some of his films include, Le Sang d'un poète, La Belle et la Bête, and Les Parents terrible. His writing includes the novel Les Enfants terrible and many poetry collections. In 1955, he was made a member of the Académie français and The Royal Academy of Belgium. He died in France on October 11, 1963 from a heart attack. His influence can be observed across the arts, including Les Six, John Cage, and Erik Satie.
Jean Cocteau is featured in Edition: Guest Editor, Tom Burr
