Francois Villon, bad boy French poet, banished for murder
On this day in 1463 the French poet Francois Villon was banished from Paris. He was born in 1431, the year that Joan of Arc... Read More
Claude Debussy writes ‘la mer’ – at Eastbourne
On this day in 1894 Claude Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune was first performed in Paris. Based on French poet Stéphane Mallarmé’s beautiful poem,... Read More
King Richard’s chicken cost’s a king’s ransom
On this day in 1192 King Richard the Lionheart, on his way home from the Crusades, was captured and imprisoned by Duke Leopold of Austria... Read More
Henri Matisse makes art with scissors
To listen to this poem, click here – On this day in 1954 the French painter Henri Matisse died aged 84. He became part of... Read More
Evelyn Waugh’s rudeness and kindness
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1903 the writer Evelyn Waugh was born. “The greatest novelist of my generation”... Read More
Arthur Rimbaud’s explosive life
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1854 the French poet Arthur Rimbaud was born. Rimbaud was born a country... Read More
Marcel Duchamp’s ‘ready-made’ urinal
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1968 the great French painter, sculptor and conceptual artist Marcel Duchamp died. He... Read More