WRITER

Albert Camus

1913 - 1960

Albert Camus

Albert Camus ( kam-OO; French: [albɛʁ kamy] ; 7 November 1913 – 4 January 1960) was a French philosopher, author, dramatist, journalist, world federalist, and political activist. He was the recipient of the 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature at the age of 44, the second-youngest recipient in history. Read more on Wikipedia

Since 2007, the English Wikipedia page of Albert Camus has received more than 9,994,406 page views. His biography is available in 134 different languages on Wikipedia (up from 128 in 2019). Albert Camus is the 18th most popular writer (up from 23rd in 2019), the 2nd most popular biography from Algeria and the most popular Algerian Writer.

Albert Camus is most famous for his philosophy of existentialism, which he developed in his essay "The Myth of Sisyphus." In this essay, Camus argues that the meaninglessness of life can be countered by living in a way that acknowledges this meaninglessness and still finds meaning in life.

Memorability Metrics

10M
Page Views (PV)
84.02
Historical Popularity Index (HPI)
134
Languages Editions (L)
14.20
Effective Languages (L*)
4.24
Coefficient of Variation (CV)

Notable Works

Peste

1942

Caligula

Drama

Caligula was born into an illustrious Roman family. His father was Germanicus, a hugely popular and talented general, who, before his early death, was seen as the natural heir of the reigning Augustus. Caligula was a fond nickname meaning "Little Boots" (his real name was Gaius), given to him by the soldiers in Germanicus' legions who loved to see the young boy in the camps dressed in a military uniform. When the cruel and unpopular Emperor Tiberius (who had succeeded Augustus) died, Caligula was swept into office on a wave of good will. But Caligula turned out to be the most insane Caesar of Rome. His evil deeds surpassed both Tiberius, who reigned immediately before him, or Nero, who ruled shortly after.

19585 / 5

L' étranger

Study Aids

A New York Times Bestseller An Oprah's Book Club Selection A Nobel Prize-winning AuthorIn the sixty years since this remarkable novel won the Pulitzer Prize, it has become one of the great modern classics. In it, Pearl Buck portrays a China when the last emperor reigned and the vast political and social upheavals of the twentieth century were but distant rumblings. This moving story of the honest farmer Wang Lung and his selfless wife O-lan illuminates the sweeping changes that have occurred in the lives of the Chinese people during this century.

19424 / 5

L' etranger

Alienation (Social psychology)

Meursault is a French Algerian who learns of his mother's death by telegram. Meursault's indifference to the news of his mother's death demonstrates some emotional detachment from his environment. There are multiple instances throughout the novel where significant moments do not have an emotional impact on Meursault. He doesn't show emotion to the fact that his mother is dead. Another aspect of Meursault is that he is an honest person. He always speaks his mind and does not care how other people see him. He is regarded as a stranger to society due to his indifference. The first part of the novel concludes when Meursault shoots and kills an Arab after being out in the sun for most of the day. Part II of this short novel is concerned with Meursault's trial, imprisonment, and encroaching execution. But throughout Camus is less interested in plot and more in using character and the sequence of events to elaborate his own theory of existentialism and the absurdity of man's position in relation to a universe of indifference.

1942

Carnets

1960