Georges Bataille was born in Billon, Puy-de-Dôme, France, in 1897. He died in 1962.
His mother tried to kill herself repeatedly.
His father was paralyzed from syphilis (according to Bataille).
Bataille converted to Catholicism at the beginning of WWI, intending to become a priest, but eventually left the church due to a loss of faith. He fought in the war but was discharged due to tuberculosis. “I myself am war,” said Bataille.
He was involved with the Surrealist movement until excommunicated by Andre Breton.