Biography of Simone de Beauvoir

Thoughts of women

January 9, 1908
April 14, 1986
Simone de Beauvoir was born in Paris on January 9, 1908 from a wealthy family. The father's Attorney Georges Bertrand de Beauvoir and mother is Françoise Brasseur. Simone receives an education very rigid and severe, since the mother is very Catholic. Spend a serene childhood next to sister Hélène, in spite of the difficult economic situation affecting the family, because his maternal grandfather went bankrupt. At the age of ten he began to get fond of Scripture and became very close very to a childhood friend, Elizabeth Mabille who dies tragically; the death of friend mark deeply Simon who begins to find its autonomy at a young age. Having a great passion for study, he enrolled at the Institute Désir, where proves to be a very diligent and clever student.
He devoted himself totally to the study, showing a great interest in classic French literature, for contemporary literature and the masterpieces of Surrealists. His interest in literature leads her to continue her studies and take the way of teaching. In recent years turned away from Catholicism that was addressed already from an early age. He continues studying at the Liceo de Neuilly and at the Catholic Institute of Paris. In 1926, while preparing for the University entrance exams, she joined the Socialist movement and at the same time he attended some courses in philosophy at the Sorbonne in Paris. In this year also plays a college internship at the Janson de Sailly and, after passing the entrance exams at the Sorbonne, is admitted. During my university studies knows Lévi-Strauss, Raymond Aron, Merleau-Ponty, Paul Nizan and Jean-Paul Sartre.
Between her and Sartre was born for a strong intellectual and emotional bond that will last for a lifetime, although the two do not unite in marriage. After finishing his university studies, Simone earned a Bachelor's degree in literature and the agrégation (eligibility) in philosophy. Having these two important titles devoted himself to teaching in three French cities: Marseille, Rouen and Paris. Practicing as a lecturer until 1943 when taking an important decision — to devote himself entirely to writing.
Simone De Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre's partner are very close and they travel so much around the world when going to Morocco, in Spain, in Greece and in Italy. Along with fellow participates in the most important events of the day and tries to become better acquainted with numerous authors including Ernest Hemingway, Franz Kafka, Marcel Proust, Virginia Woolf, André Gidé, Martin Heidegger, Edmund Husserl. It also assists the tragic events that is happening in Europe because of Nazism and fascism, but without exposing himself. In the year of his debut from a writer writes his first opera, "invited" which tells how the arrival of a third character disrupts and destabilizes the balance of a couple.
In 1944 he wrote his second novel, "the blood of others", which deals with the theme of war and resistance. In the novel it is stated that people who must struggle against the Nazi occupation must also try to push other people to risk their lives. Simone De Beauvoir stressed that these people so I'm forced to make a decision so hard in the name of freedom and ideals of Justice. This novel is written during World War II when France, like many other European countries, is occupied by the Nazis.
Simon, at this time, is alone in her homeland and adheres fully to the ideals of the anti-Nazi resistance that is operating in his country. The novel by French author is a way to put himself in the forefront of condemning totalitarianism. The following year he founded along with Jean-Paul Sartre, Jean Paulhan, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Raymond Aron and other intellectuals "Les Temps Modernes", a magazine that publishes several articles that examine the Existentialist philosophy and the events which take place in contemporary times. Two years later makes several trips between North America, Latin America and Asia, going in the United States, Cuba, Brazil, China and Russia. His literary output is remarkable in these years, realizes the following lyrics: "America day by day" and "the long March". In 1949 carries out an important essay, "the second sex", which analyzes the situation of women in society and morals. Thanks to this writing will get many awards internationally. After five years, writes one of his most famous novels "mandarins", in which he describes the fears and hopes of French society after the second world war.
Thanks to this literary masterpiece receives the Prix Goncourt. In later years he wrote his autobiography which is divided into four books: "memoirs of a decent girl," strong "," Age "the power of things" and "all things considered". In the 1960s, is a strong supporter of the feminist movement and published another autobiographical novel, "A sweet death," which dedicates to his mother who died recently. Between 1966 and 1967 he writes two new novels: "beautiful pictures" and "broken woman". The second novel tells the story of three women living a crisis situation. In this work, so it is once again the theme of women. In recent years the revolution Parisian student and Simone De Beauvoir. Also takes part in events organised by the feminist movement and it is for this reason that receives a lot of criticism, but also support from many people who admire her for the courage with which expresses their views.
Together with other women founded the League for women's rights organization in 1974 becomes President. Between the first half of the 1970s and the first half of the 1980s continue with great intensity his literary activity, writing "the third age" in which addresses issues such as sickness, old age and death and farewell ceremony, in which he tells his last decade of life with Jean-Paul Sartre, died April 15, 1980. The last two works that realizes the ' letters to the Beaver and other friends "and" When all the women in the world ". Simone de Beauvoir died in Paris on April 14, 1986 at the age of 78 and his remains are buried beside those of his life companion Jean-Paul Sartre.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.