André Breton Autograph

Profession:
(1896-1966) French writer, poet, and anti-fascist - he is known best as the founder of Surrealism. His writings include the first Surrealist Manifesto (Manifeste du surrealisme) of 1924

Year of Birth: 1896

André Breton was a French writer, poet, and founder of the Surrealist movement. Born on February 19, 1896 in Tinchebray, France, Breton grew up in a middle-class family with a deep love for literature and art.

After studying medicine and psychiatry, Breton served in World War I as a medical auxiliary before returning to Paris to pursue his passion for writing. In the 1920s, he became known for his innovative poetry and essays that explored the workings of the unconscious mind.

In 1924, Breton published the first Surrealist Manifesto, which outlined the principles of the Surrealist movement. Surrealism aimed to unlock the power of the subconscious mind through automatic writing, dream analysis, and free association.

Throughout his career, Breton was a champion of avant-garde art and literature. He collaborated with artists like Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst, and his writings inspired generations of writers and thinkers.

Despite facing censorship and criticism from the authorities, Breton remained committed to his beliefs in the transformative power of art and the pursuit of revolutionary change. He continued to write and publish until his death on September 28, 1966 in Paris, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and innovation.

Today, André Breton is remembered as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century literature, whose ideas and writings continue to inspire artists, writers, and thinkers around the world.