Born: 23 January 1783 · Died: 23 March 1842 · Age at death: 59
How old was Stendhal when he died?
Stendhal died aged 59. He was born on 23 January 1783 and died on 23 March 1842.
French novelist of The Red and the Black and The Charterhouse of Parma, a pioneer of psychological realism
Did you know?He was present during Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in 1812, serving as a high-ranking official in the French army's administrative department.
Quick facts
Date of birth23 January 1783
Date of death23 March 1842
Age at death59
Cause of deathStroke
NationalityFrench
BirthplaceGrenoble, France
Occupationwriter, autobiographer, diarist
Editor's Take:
Stendhal wrote novels about ambition, love and hypocrisy. Born Marie-Henri Beyle in Grenoble, he served in Napoleon's army and followed it to Moscow. His heroes are young men trying to rise in a rigid society. The Red and the Black follows Julien Sorel, a carpenter's son with dangerous dreams. The Charterhouse of Parma was written in just 52 days. He was little read in his lifetime. He predicted he would be understood around 1880, and he was right.
Key Milestones
1800: Italy with Napoleon's army
1812: Moscow – retreat
1822: On Love – essay
1830: The Red and the Black – novel
Marie-Henri Beyle (French:; 23 January 1783 – 23 March 1842), better known by his pen name Stendhal (UK:, US:, French:), was a French writer.
