Albert Camus

NAME Albert Camus

WHAT FAMOUS FOR French philosopher, author, and Nobel Prize laureate, known for his existentialist and absurdist philosophy, as well as his novels and plays.

BIRTH Albert Camus was born on November 7, 1913, in Mondovi, French Algeria (now Dréan, Algeria).

FAMILY BACKGROUND Camus was born into a poor French-Algerian family. His father, Lucien Camus, served in a Zouave infantry regiment and was wounded in the Battle of the Marne in 1914 during World War I. Lucien died later that year from his wounds in a makeshift army hospital. His deaf and illiterate mother, Catherine Hélène Sintès Camus, was of Spanish descent and worked as a cleaning woman to support the family.

CHILDHOOD  Albert and his mother lived without many basic material possessions during his childhood in the Belcourt section of Algiers. Despite the hardships, he excelled academically and developed a love for literature and philosophy.

EDUCATION Camus showed academic promise despite his challenging background and gained a scholarship in 1924 to study at a prestigious lyceum (secondary school) near Algiers. His education was interrupted by a severe bout of tuberculosis at the age of 17, which affected him throughout his life. Nevertheless, he continued to pursue his intellectual interests passionately.

In 1933, Camus enrolled at the University of Algiers and completed his licence de philosophie (BA) in 1936 after presenting his thesis on Plotinus.

CAREER RECORD Camus began his career as a journalist, working for the leftist newspaper Alger Républicain and later the clandestine newspaper Combat during World War II. His literary career took off with the publication of The Stranger in 1942. He went on to write numerous novels, essays, and plays, earning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957.

APPEARANCE Albert Camus was known for his handsome and rugged features, often sporting a trench coat and a cigarette in hand, which became iconic images associated with him.

Albert Camus Photograph by United Press International 

FASHION Camus preferred a simple yet stylish wardrobe, often seen in classic suits, trench coats, and occasionally casual wear. His fashion reflected his practical yet refined taste.

CHARACTER Camus was known for his integrity, moral commitment, and deep sense of justice. He was compassionate and empathetic, often standing up for the oppressed and marginalized.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Camus had a subtle and dry sense of humor, often infused with irony and wit. His humor was reflective of his philosophical views on the absurdity of life.

RELATIONSHIPS Camus had several significant relationships throughout his life. He was married twice, first to Simone Hié and then to Francine Faure. He also had notable romantic liaisons with actresses and intellectuals, including María Casares.

MONEY AND FAME Camus achieved significant fame and financial success, especially after winning the Nobel Prize. However, he remained humble and often expressed discomfort with his celebrity status.

FOOD AND DRINK Camus enjoyed simple Mediterranean cuisine, reflecting his Algerian roots. He appreciated good wine and often engaged in lively conversations over meals with friends.

MUSIC AND ARTS Camus had a deep appreciation for the arts, particularly classical music and theatre. He was actively involved in theatrical productions and had a keen interest in painting and sculpture.

LITERATURE Camus was an avid reader and a prolific writer. His literary works encompass novels, essays, plays, and philosophical texts. His writing often explored themes of existentialism, absurdism, and humanism.  His most famous works include The Stranger, The Plague, and The Myth of Sisyphus.

Camus was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957, making him the second-youngest recipient of the award. The prize was largely awarded for his extended essay Reflections on the Guillotine, which argued against capital punishment.

Albert Camus was all about the existential crisis. He was like a one-man gloom factory, churning out despair like a sausage machine.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the man could write. There’s no denying that. But his books are about as cheerful as a funeral in a swamp. The Stranger? A corker of a title, you'd think, but it’s really just a guy wandering around being miserable. The Plague? A bit on the nose, perhaps. And don’t even get me started on The Myth of Sisyphus. That’s a book that’ll make you want to give up and push a boulder uphill for the rest of your life just to feel something.

But here’s the thing: despite the constant drizzle of doom and gloom, Camus was a master of his craft. He could spin a yarn like nobody’s business. And there’s something undeniably compelling about someone who can take the most ordinary of situations – a guy going to the beach, a town hit by a plague – and turn it into a soul-searching odyssey.

So, while Camus might not have been the life of the party, he was certainly a master of the literary equivalent of a wet blanket. And for that, we should probably be grateful. After all, someone’s got to explore the darker corners of the human psyche. Just don’t expect them to do it with a smile.

NATURE Camus had a profound connection with nature, often reflecting on the beauty of the Algerian landscape in his works. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, appreciating the tranquility and inspiration it provided.

PETS Camus named his cat Cigarette, reflecting his keen habit of smoking.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Camus was passionate about football (soccer) and played as a goalkeeper for the Racing Universitaire d'Alger junior team until he contracted tuberculosis in 1930.  He believed sports were a valuable means of building camaraderie and discipline.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Camus occasionally incorporated scientific ideas into his philosophical writings.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Camus explored themes of meaning, existence, and human freedom, often challenging traditional religious and philosophical beliefs.

Camus's philosophical contributions, particularly to existentialism and absurdism, are highly regarded. He believed that the human search for meaning was ultimately futile, as life was inherently meaningless. Despite this, Camus argued that individuals could find purpose and fulfillment through the creation of their own values and the pursuit of personal freedom.

POLITICS Camus was politically active, advocating for justice and human rights. He opposed totalitarianism and colonialism, speaking out against both the Nazi occupation of France and the French colonial rule in Algeria. 

Camus joined the French Communist Party in 1935, seeing it as a vehicle for challenging the deep-rooted inequality between Europeans and Algerians. Despite his involvement, he never embraced Marxist ideology. Later, his criticism of communism in L'Homme révolté (The Rebel) led to a protracted quarrel with the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.

SCANDAL Camus faced criticism and scandal, particularly for his opposition to the Algerian War of Independence. His stance alienated him from many fellow intellectuals and activists. Some historians believe that Camus was killed by KGB agents for his criticism of Stalin's regime.

MILITARY RECORD Camus did not serve in the military, as his health and political circumstances prevented him from enlisting during World War II. However, he was active within the French Resistance to the German occupation of France.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Camus struggled with tuberculosis for most of his life, which significantly impacted his health and physical fitness. Despite this, he remained active and engaged in intellectual and social pursuits.

HOMES Camus lived in various places throughout his life, including Algiers, Paris, and Provence. His homes often reflected his minimalist and practical lifestyle.

TRAVEL Camus traveled extensively, particularly throughout Europe and North Africa. His travels influenced his writing and philosophical perspectives.

He had intense motorphobia (fear of automobiles) and avoided riding in cars as much as possible. Instead he preferred traveling by train.

DEATH Albert Camus died in a car accident on January 4, 1960, near Sens, France. Ironically, he had a return train ticket in his coat pocket, having been persuaded by a friend to ride in his car. His untimely death at the age of 46 shocked the literary and philosophical communities.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Camus is the subject of numerous films, documentaries, and books. His works have been adapted for film and theater. Camus' life and works continue to inspire and influence modern media and scholarship.

ACHIEVEMENTS Camus' achievements include a rich legacy of literary and philosophical works that continue to be studied and celebrated worldwide. His most notable recognition was receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957 for his profound impact on modern thought and literature.