PARIS — “To the great men, a grateful homeland” reads the inscription above the columned entrance to the Panthéon, France’s storied tomb of heroes, which houses the remains of idols like Hugo, Curie and Rousseau. Verlaine abandoned his wife and baby to pursue the affair, which may have started before Rimbaud turned 17. They abused opium and alcohol, and Rimbaud was notoriously rude, crude and even violent. As their relationship collapsed, Verlaine shot and wounded his lover, for which he spent 18 months in prison. Supporters argue that official recognition is long overdue on literary merits, and that putting them into the Panthéon together would send a strong message against homophobia.

Source: New York Times November 01, 2020 17:48 UTC