Albert Camus (; 7 November 1913 – 4 January 1960) was a French pied-noir author, journalist, and philosopher. His views contributed to the rise of the philosophy known as absurdism. He wrote in his essay "The Rebel" that his whole life was devoted to opposing the philosophy of nihilism while still delving deeply into individual freedom. Although often cited as a proponent of existentialism, the philosophy with which Camus was associated during his own lifetime, he rejected this particular label. In an interview in 1945, Camus rejected any ideological associations: "No, I am not an existentialist. Sartre and I are always surprised to see our names linked..."
In 1949, Camus founded the Group for International Liaisons within the Revolutionary Union Movement after his split with Garry Davis's Citizens of the World movement, of which the surrealist André Breton was also a member. The formation of this group, according to Camus, was intended to "denounce two ideologies found in both the USSR and the USA" regarding their idolatry of technology.
Camus was awarded the 1957 Nobel Prize for Literature "for his important literary production, which with clear-sighted earnestness illuminates the problems of the human conscience in our times". He was the second-youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, after Rudyard Kipling, and the first African-born writer to receive the award. He is the shortest-lived of any Nobel literature laureate to date, having died in an automobile accident just over two years after receiving the award.
Read more about Albert Camus: Early Years, Literary Career, Revolutionary Union Movement and Europe, Death, Summary of Absurdism, Ideas On The Absurd, Opposition To Totalitarianism, Football
Famous quotes by albert camus:
“D’Arrast: ‘Just tell me, has your good Jesus always answered your call?’
The Rooster: ‘Always, no, Captain.’
D’Arrast: ‘Well, then?’
The Rooster burst out in a fresh and childlike laugh: ‘Well, he is free, isn’t he?’”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“There will be no lasting peace either in the heart of individuals or in social customs until death is outlawed.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“You see, a person of my acquaintance used to divide people into three categories: those who would prefer to have nothing to hide than have to lie, those who would rather lie than have nothing to hide, and finally those who love both lies and secrets.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“Oh! Caesonia, I knew men could despair, but I did not know what that word meant. I thought like, everyone else, that it was an ailment of the soul. But no, it is the body that suffers. My skin hurts, my chest, my limbs. I am feeling lightheaded and nauseated. And the most horrible is this taste in my mouth. Neither blood, nor death, nor fever, but all of them at once.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“Generally, I like all islands. There, it is easier to rule.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)