Who Is Roland Barthes? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Roland Barthes, born on November 12, 1915, was a prominent French philosopher and essayist best known for his work in literary theory, semiotics, and structuralism. Although Barthes passed away in 1980 at the age of 64, his theories continue to influence contemporary thought and literary studies. In 2025, discussions around his contributions remain prevalent, particularly in academic circles where his insights into text and cultural symbols are celebrated.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 12, 1915 |
| Age | 64 Years |
| Birth Place | Cherbourg, France |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | France |
| Date of death | 25 March, 1980 |
| Died Place | Paris, France |
Popularity
Roland Barthes's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As Barthes is no longer alive, we cannot provide current physical measurements. However, during his lifetime, he was known for his intellectual stature, both physically and metaphorically. While precise statistics regarding his height and weight are not widely documented, his significant presence in the intellectual community was unmistakable.
On 25 February 1980, Roland Barthes was knocked down by the driver of a laundry van while walking home through the streets of Paris. One month later, on 25 March, he died from the chest injuries he had sustained in the crash.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As a person of profound intellect, Barthes' personal relationships were often veiled in privacy. There are no widely known public records about a specific boyfriend or girlfriend. His relationships were more focused on intellectual companionship than romantic partnerships. Barthes often preferred the company of thinkers and cultural figures rather than drawing attention to romantic entanglements.
His father, naval officer Louis Barthes, was killed in a battle during World War I in the North Sea before Barthes's first birthday. His mother, Henriette Barthes, and his aunt and grandmother raised him in the village of Urt and the city of Bayonne. In 1924, Barthes' family moved to Paris, though his attachment to his provincial roots would remain strong throughout his life.
Net Worth and Salary
Estimates of Roland Barthes' net worth at the time of his passing are difficult to quantify, especially given the context of his era. Barthes primarily earned his income through academia and publishing, contributing to magazines and writing books. His literary works and theories, particularly "Mythologies" and "S/Z," are still widely read and studied, indicating a lasting legacy that continues to inspire discussions in literary and cultural studies.
Career, Business, and Investments
Roland Barthes had a distinguished career as a professor and literary critic. He taught at several prestigious institutions, including the École Nationale Supérieure and the University of Paris. Barthes' career was characterized by his innovative approach to literature, blending elements of philosophy, linguistics, and cultural theory. His contributions to literary criticism, notably the introduction of post-structuralism, have made him a pivotal figure in understanding how we interpret texts and media.
Despite his focus on intellectual pursuits, Barthes advocated for a more comprehensive understanding of cultural artifacts, emphasizing the interplay between language and culture in shaping reality. His investments were largely metaphorical, aiming to enrich the fields of literature and semiotics rather than engaging in financial enterprises.
Barthes is perhaps best known for his 1957 essay collection Mythologies, which contained reflections on popular culture, and the 1967/1968 essay "The Death of the Author", which critiqued traditional approaches in literary criticism. During his academic career he was primarily associated with the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and the Collège de France.
Social Network
While Barthes predated the emergence of social media, his influence resonates on various platforms where scholars and literary enthusiasts engage in discussions of his work. Twitter, academic forums, and various online literary archives serve as modern vessels for sharing and disseminating ideas inspired by Barthes' theories.
Roland Gérard Barthes (12 November 1915 – 25 March 1980) was a French literary theorist, essayist, philosopher, critic, and semiotician. His work engaged in the analysis of a variety of sign systems, mainly derived from Western popular culture.
His ideas explored a diverse range of fields and influenced the development of multiple schools of theory, including structuralism, anthropology, literary theory, and post-structuralism.
Education
Roland Barthes received his education at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, followed by degrees from the University of Bordeaux. His academic journey laid the foundation for his later explorations into structuralism and semiotics. Barthes' commitment to education not only shaped his intellectual output but also formed a significant aspect of his professional identity as an educator.
His life from 1939 to 1948 was largely spent obtaining a licence in grammar and philology, publishing his first papers, taking part in a medical study, and continuing to struggle with his health. He received a diplôme d'études supérieures (roughly equivalent to an MA by thesis) from the University of Paris in 1941 for his work in Greek tragedy.
