Henry Murger was born on 27 March 1822 at 17, rue St-Georges in Paris. When the house was demolished several years later, the parents and their little son moved to what is now 61, rue Taitbout. At the new address as at the previous one, Murger's father, a tailor, served as concierge. Several famous literary, artistic, and musical personalities lived in the building, so that, while the family was not wealthy, the boy grew up in a rather cultivated atmosphere. In other respects, however, his education left a great deal to be desired. His formal schooling was lackadaisical, and he was always conscious of the fact. He never learned to punctuate correctly. At fifteen he went to work as a solicitor's clerk. Secretly, because his father disapproved, he began writing poetry. He also began to meet various young artists and writers, all hungry but ambitious bohemians.

Drawn to one another because of...