Gérard de Nerval (1808–1855) established his literary reputation with a translation, admired by the author, of Goethe’s Faust. He lost his inheritance in an ill-considered magazine publishing venture. His travels resulted in works such as Le Voyage en Orient; the last years of his life produced the stories and poems for which he is best known. He committed suicide in 1855, leaving a note for his aunt: ‘Do not wait up for me this evening, for the night will be black and white.’