Death: 15th April 1980Location: Cimetiere de Montparnasse, Paris, France
Cause of Death: Lung Oedema
Photo taken by: Wayne
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by Jean-Paul Sartre
French novelist and existentialist philosopher. Although he was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize for Literature, 'for his work which, rich in ideas and filled with the spirit of freedom and the quest for truth, has exerted a far-reaching influence on our age', he declined it. The reasons he gave for declining the award were that he always refused official honours and he didn't wish to involve himself with institutions.
He was born in Paris, his father died when Jean-Paul was just over a year old so he was brought up by his mother and grandfather. Sartre was interested in philosophy from a young age and while studying at the École Normale he met fellow student Simone de Beauvoir. The pair became inseparable lifelong companions, although their relationship was not a monogamous one. Sartre graduated with a doctorate in philosophy and became a lecturer. In 1938 he wrote the novel Nausea which remains one of his most famous books. In 1939 he was drafted into the French army but was captured by Germans in 1940 and served nine months in prison. In 1948 all his works were placed on a list of forbidden books by the Catholic Church. Sartre became world famous but remained a simple man committed to causes until the end of his life. His funeral was attended by 50,000 people.
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