Romanian-born poet, author, and performance artist who was a founder of the Dada movement in art and literature. His work inspired several generations of writers, including Samuel Beckett, William S. Burroughs, and Thom Yorke of Radiohead.
He moved from Romania to Paris when he was in his early twenties and worked for Litterature Magazine, a publication that allied itself with the Surrealist movement.
He was a member of the World War II-era French Resistance, and he also served in the National Assembly and joined the French Communist Party.
He married Swedish poet and artist Greta Knutson after having a romantic relationship with dancer Maja Kruscek.
He and artist Max Ernst were both leaders in the Dada movement.
