Biography of the Marquis De Sade

The free spirit of an eternal prisoner

2 June 1740
2 December 1814
Writer, born on 2 June 1740 in Paris, Donatien Alphonse François De Sade, better known as the Marquis De Sade, is the man who will live and feel firsthand the metamorphosis of a France that makes history with world social revolutions of 1789. Of aristocratic family, is listed at fourteen in a military school reserved for children of the oldest nobility. Appointed Lieutenant in just fifteen years, participates in the seven years ' war against Prussia, distinguished by bravery, but also for a certain taste for excess. In 1763 was discharged with the rank of Captain and began to lead a life of debauchery and unbridled fun, attending Theater actresses and young courtesans.
On May 17 of the same year, he was forced by his father to marry Renee Pelagie de Montreuil, a girl from a family of nobility, but very rich. According to some sources, the intention of the father would have been to let him put his head in place; second only to secure the family fortune would take against more of the girl, given the precarious economic situation besetting during that time the family De Sade. What is certain, however, is that marriage is not abandoning the Marquis old habits. In fact, a few months after the wedding he is imprisoned for fifteen days in prison of Vincennes because of "outrageous behaviour" held in a brothel.
This will be the first in a long series of stays in prison. The second will be in 1768, when he will be jailed for six months for having kidnapped and tortured a woman. Released by order of the King back to devote himself to his favorite occupations. Organizes parties and dances on his estate of La Coste and starts to travel accompanied by his wife's younger sister, Anne, of whom he fell in love and with whom he has long been a sexual relationship. In 1772, the year in which it is represented for the first time his play, was accused of poisoning. During an orgy which had taken part together with four prostitutes and his servant Armand, he gave women the drugs, but adulterated with sweets, instead of the hoped for aphrodisiac effect had caused them severe illness.
Escapes in Italy. Sentenced to death in absentia, he was arrested by the militia of the King of Sardinia and locked up in jail in Milan. He escapes after five months. Then, after five years of Orgies, travels and scandals, in 1777 is arrested in Paris. In the prison of Vincennes began writing plays and novels. Is transferred to the Bastille where 120 days of Sodom and prepares the misfortunes of virtue. In July 1789, ten days before the storming of the Bastille, is transferred to an insane asylum. Is forced to abandon his library of 600 books and all the manuscripts. In 1790, as with most of those who were imprisoned under the Ancien Régime, he is given the freedom. Back to live with his wife, but this, tired of his violence, abandoned him. The children, born in ' 67, ' 69 and ' 71, emigrate. Bonds then with Constance Marie Mankind, a young actress who will be next to the end. Try to obscure their origins noble revolutionary activist group in his neighborhood, but fails in the attempt and, in 1793, he was arrested and sentenced to death. Luck seems to be arridergli. For an administrative error is "forgotten" in his cell. Manages to avoid the guillotine and will be released in October 1794.
In 1795 are published the philosophy in the boudoir, the new Justine (Justine or the misfortunes of virtue had been published anonymously four years earlier) and Juliette. He was accused by the press of being the author of the infamous novel "Justine and, without any judicial process, but only with an administrative decision, in 1801 he was interned in the asylum of Charenton. Nothing will be worth his protestations and her pleas and, judged insane, but perfectly polished, here he spent the last 13 years of his life. He died on 2 December 1814, at the age of 74 years. Thirty of which were spent in prison. His works will be rehabilitated only in the twentieth century.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.