Paul Valéry

Ambroise Paul Toussaint Jules Valéry was born in France on 30 October 1871. He wrote poetry, essays, drama, and dialogues, but his range stretched wider: aphorisms on art, history, letters, music, and the events unfolding around him. Over twelve different years, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature — a recurring recognition that never converted to the prize itself. He died on 20 July 1945, leaving behind a body of work that married the philosopher's rigour to the poet's ear.