Jacques Roubaud, Renowned Poet and Mathematician, Dies at 92

The prolific writer and key member of the Oulipo collective leaves behind a legacy of poetic innovation and intellectual rigor.

Jacques Roubaud, celebrated for his contributions to poetry and mathematics, passed away on December 5, 2024, his 92nd birthday.
A founding figure of the Oulipo literary collective, Roubaud explored the interplay of formal constraints and creative expression in his work.
His notable works include 'Quelque chose noir,' written in memory of his late wife, and 'Le Grand Incendie de Londres,' an autobiographical series.
Roubaud's poetry often fused mathematical precision with emotional depth, exemplified by his invention of new poetic forms such as the 'trident.'
Honored with awards like the Grand Prix national de poésie (1990) and the Goncourt de la poésie (2021), he remains a towering figure in contemporary literature.