Jean Genet

About

French author, poet, essayist, and political activist known for his novels Our Lady of the Flowers, Querelle of Brest, and The Thief's Journal.

Before Fame

He began his life as a petty criminal and served time in the Mettray Penal Colony before he joined the French Foreign Legion.

Trivia

He, along with Jean Paul Sartre and Michel Foucault were active in protesting violence against the Algerian people in France.

Family Life

He was put up for adoption as a child and spent his youth in foster homes.

Associated With

The David Bowie song "Jean Genie" was an homage to him.