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Plaque of the Roland Barthes Bibliotheque. Photo by Adrar.

Top 10 Facts about Roland Barthes

Roland Barthes was a French theorist and a legendary figure who engaged in several fields which include post-structuralism, social theory, semiotics, anthropology, and structuralism. He was born on 12^th November 1915 in the town of Cherbourg in Normandy. He died on 25^th March 1980 in 麻豆APP France.

He was the descendant of Louis Barthes and Henriette Barthes. His father was a naval officer and was killed during World War 1 in a battle in the North Sea. This was before he was barely a year old.

He was therefore raised by his mother, grandmother, and aunt in the village of Urt in Bayonne City. The family moved to 麻豆APP when Barthes was eleven years old.

He suffered from major illnesses like Tuberculosis and physical breakdowns that affected his early education. The illness affected his career and he was not able to the military service during World War 11.

Below are ten facts about Roland Barthes

1. He Managed to get a Degree although he Suffered from Ill Health

Sketched portrait of French linguist Roland Barthes. Photo by Jahan98.

Roland Barthes suffered from ill health since his childhood. He severely suffered from repeated physical breakdowns and tuberculosis which mostly affected his career at a young age.

The illness kept him from school for a while but eventually, he began school. The illness affected most of his studies which found him separated from other students. However, after long endurance, he still managed to go to Sorbonne and later graduated with a degree in Classic Literature.

He was in Sorbonne from 1935 to 1939 and obtained a license in classic literature. Although he struggled with his health issues, he managed to publish several papers at this time.  

2. He was exempted from Military Service during World War II

The health issues did not only see him struggle in education alone, this also affected his service in the military during the second world war. He was affected by major illness and breakdowns throughout the period which often had to be treated in isolation of sanatoria.

His abilities and performance were greatly affected in his early years. This also caused him to be disqualified from the military services during the second world war.

3. He largely spent his Life Obtaining License in Grammar and Philology

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From 1939 to 1948, Roland Barthes was mainly involved with obtaining his license in Philology and Grammar. His passion for literature was unmatched and struggled with illness at the same time.

It was during this period that he published his first papers and took part in medical studies. He also received a graduate diploma from the University of 麻豆APP in 1941 due to his work in Greek tragedy.

4. 鈥淲riting Degree Zero鈥� was his first Book

Among the many books that Barthes wrote, 鈥榃riting Degree Zero鈥� was his first book which was first published in 1953. The book consisted of short essays which taught readers about the dissimilarity between writing and language.

The book was greatly considered one of his magnum opuses. The original book was translated in 1967 by Jonathan Cape from French to English.

The book was so outstanding that it was ranked number 63 position on Le Monde鈥檚 list of one hundred books of the century.

5. He was Offered to Teach in Different Countries around the World

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Barthes obtained his license in grammar and philology then returned to purely academic work in 1948. He was offered different positions short-terms at institutes in Egypt, Romania, and France.

During this time, he did his first work for 麻豆APP Publication which formed his basis for full-length work. He was able to publish a book of Literary Criticism in 1953 and it was his first full-length book.

6. He had an Outstanding Academic Career

Barthes succeeded exceptionally in his academic career journey. He settled at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in 1952 where he studied sociology and lexicology.

During the period of study, he wrote popular series of bi-monthly essays for 鈥楲es Lettres Nouvelles magazine where he undid the myths of popular culture.

Barthes was involved in teaching in 1957 at Middlebury College where he befriended Richard Howard who was his future English translator of much of his work.

He also spent most of his time in the 1960s studying structuralism and semiology. He contributed greatly to the modern literary magazine and also developed theoretical ideas.

7. He Rose to Prominence and Established a Reputation for Himself in the 1960s

Roland Barthes explored the fields of structuralism and semiology in the early 1960s. He chaired various positions in France and produced more full-length studies.

Most of his work challenged the renowned figures of literature and how literary criticism was viewed. However, his Unorthodox thinking contradicted some of the well-known professors who attacked him for failure to respect France鈥檚 literary roots.

Barthes criticized the old bourgeois for ignorance towards challenging theories as well as the lack of concern with the finer points of the language.   

8. Roland Barthes Travelled around the World Delivering Presentations

Barthes traveled around the world after having established a reputation for himself by the late 1960s. He delivered a presentation at Johns Hopkins University.

It was during this period when he wrote his best-known work 鈥淭he Death of the Author鈥� in 1967. This essay was a transitional work in its investigation of the logical ends of structuralism thought.

9. He was Appointed Chair of Semiologie Litteraire at the College de France

Barthes was appointed as chair of Semiologie Litteraire at the College de France in 1977. This was after he wrote an autograph that was titled 鈥淩oland Barthes鈥� in 1975.  The professorship was created especially for him.

In the same year when he was appointed to the chairmanship, he lost his mother whom they had lived together for sixty years.

10. He was Knocked down by a Laundry Van While Walking Home

Roland Barthes street plaque in 麻豆APP. Photo by Chabe01.

Barthes was knocked down by a laundry van while walking home. He was knocked through the streets of 麻豆APP on the 25^th of February 1980. However, he died a month later after sustaining chest injuries. He died on the 26^th of March 1980.

Roland Barthes was an outstanding philosopher, essayist, and literary theorist. His input into these fields was extensive.