French poet, essayist and translator. Listed as the most romantic of French poets. It is said that the death of his mother marked his life and more properly his vocation as a writer. He received his education from his great-uncle in the Valois countryside until 1814, after which he was sent to Paris. He basted his book Songs and legends of Valois. He also made translations such as that of Faust (Goethe).
Work as journalist, printer’s apprentice, assistant notary, etc. I would also write dramatic works while collaborating with Alexander dumas Y Victor hugo.
He was enchanted by the actress and singer Jenny colon (1833), devoting great attention to it. However, she passed away in 1842, leaving him very depressed. Later he moved on a trip to the East, where he was very impressed by the turkish culture.
While in Syria, he almost married the sheik’s daughter; also in Beirut he was dazzled by the salerma druse girl. Then in cairo bought a javanese slave. For so many trips his health was affected.
He traveled to Europe where he met Charles dickens. Gérard de Nerval, was his literary pseudonym, since his real name was Gérard Labrunie. Throughout his life experienced consecutive bipolar disorders, sleepwalking, and even schizophrenia, having to be admitted to various psychiatric hospitals, where he devoted himself to reading numerous books on occultism, kabbalah and magic. His health worsened, so decided to hang himself in Paris (1855).
He left a short legacy of works, which reflect the concerns of the human soul. Among his main works are: “Journey to the East” (1851), in which he narrates his experiences during his travels through Europe and North Africa. “Les Illuminés, ou les precurseurs du socialisme” (1852), “The daughters of fire” (1854), “Aurelia” (1855), etc.