| Maurice Carême | |
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| Born | 12 May 1899 Wavre, Belgium |
| Died | 13 January 1978 (aged 78) Anderlecht, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgium |
| Occupation | poet |
Maurice Carême (12 May 1899 – 13 January 1978) was a Belgian francophone poet, best known for his simple writing style and children's poetry.
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—the poem on the plaque |
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Carême was born in Wavre (now Walloon Brabant), 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. He also translated works of Dutch poets into French.
Maurice Carême died in Anderlecht. At his request, he was buried in Wavre. His home in Anderlecht, la Maison blanche, now houses the Musée Maurice Carême.