Arthur Rimbaud: The Poet Who Became an Ethiopian Coffee Trader

Most people know Arthur Rimbaud as the wild-eyed teenage poet who wrote “A Season in Hell” before vanishing from literature forever. But few realize that after abandoning poetry at age 20, he spent the rest of his life—nearly a decade—as a coffee and arms trader in East Africa. What drove a literary genius to trade coffee beans in the desert? And what does his time in Ethiopia reveal about the origins of specialty coffee trade?

Rimbaud lived in Harar, Ethiopia, for about eight years starting in his mid-20s, trading not just coffee but also firearms and animal hides. Though he never loved coffee, he became deeply involved in its commerce, working in one of the world’s oldest coffee-growing regions.

From Poetry to Coffee: Rimbaud’s Radical Career Shift

By age 20, Arthur Rimbaud had already written some of the most daring poetry of the 19th century, including “Vowels” and “The Drunken Boat.” He had also engaged in a scandalous romantic relationship with older poet Paul Verlaine. But in 1875, at just 20 years old, he quit writing entirely. Over the next 12 years, he sought fortune abroad—first in Cyprus, then in East Africa.

In 1880, at age 26, Rimbaud arrived in Ethiopia (then Abyssinia), eventually settling in the highland town of Harar. His goal was simple: to make a fortune and restore his reputation. He never returned to France.

Rimbaud in Harar: Coffee, Commerce, and Conflict

Rimbaud lived in Harar intermittently for around eight years. Though best known today for its role in coffee history, Harar was also a strategic trade hub where coffee, weapons, and skins changed hands. Rimbaud wasn’t just a coffee trader—he dealt in firearms and animal pelts as well.

He learned the coffee trade in detail, navigating local networks, dealing with traders, and managing logistics amid harsh conditions. Despite his deep involvement, he reportedly disliked coffee. In letters, he described the local coffee trade as dealing with “filthy, disgusting, revolting stuff covered in excrement.”

At one point, he made a small fortune, but like much of his life, it slipped away. He remained restless, solitary, and ultimately unsuccessful in finding lasting stability or happiness.

The Legacy: From Poet to Coffee Merchant in Harar

Today, the house where Rimbaud lived in Harar has been turned into a coffee museum called the “Rainbow House.” It’s a major stop for tourists interested in the region’s coffee heritage. Most visitors see romance in his story—but the reality is more complicated.

Rimbaud never found peace, success, or joy in either poetry or business. He pursued coffee not out of passion, but as part of a relentless drive to reinvent himself. He never stayed still long enough to enjoy even a cup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did Arthur Rimbaud live in Ethiopia?

Rimbaud lived in the town of Harar, a historic coffee-trading hub in eastern Ethiopia. He resided there intermittently for about eight years starting in 1880.

What kind of trading did Rimbaud do in Ethiopia?

Besides coffee, Rimbaud traded firearms and animal hides. He was involved in multiple aspects of regional commerce beyond just coffee beans.

Did Rimbaud like coffee?

No. In letters, Rimbaud described the coffee trade and the product itself in extremely negative terms, calling it “disgusting” and “covered in excrement.”

What is the Rainbow House in Harar?

The Rainbow House is the former residence of Arthur Rimbaud in Harar, now converted into a coffee museum that commemorates his time in Ethiopia and the region’s coffee history.

How long did Rimbaud stay in Ethiopia?

Rimbaud lived in Ethiopia on and off for roughly a decade, from around 1880 until his death from cancer in 1891 at age 37.

Why is Rimbaud’s coffee trading significant?

Rimbaud is one of the few historical figures to personally engage in coffee commerce at the source, offering a unique glimpse into early global coffee trade networks outside of Europe.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans from Ethiopia’s Coffee Heartland

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