Maurice Carême

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Belgian francophone poet, best known for his simple writing style and children's poetry.

[edit] Biography

Born May 12, 1899 in Wavre (Belgium), then a rural part of Belgium. Although he grew up in a family of modest means (his father was a housepainter, and his mother a shopkeeper) Carême had a happy childhood, which would reflect in his work.

Maurice Carême attended school in his hometown, and in 1914 was awarded a scholarship to attend Normal School in Tienen. It was at this time that he began writing poetry.

In 1918, Carême graduated from Normal School and was assigned a primary school teacher's position in Anderlecht, near Brussels.

Carême's poetry progressively took on a greater place in his life and in 1943, he resigned from his teaching profession to commit himself fully to writing.

Maurice Carême died January 13, 1978 in Anderlecht. At his request, he was buried in Wavre. His home in Anderlecht, la Maison blanche, now houses the Musée Maurice Carême.