Arthur Rimbaud’s Life as a Coffee Trader in Africa

Most people know Arthur Rimbaud as the teenage prodigy who wrote some of the most radical French poetry of the 19th century—masterpieces like "Voyelles" (Vowels) and "Le Bateau ivre" (The Drunken Boat)—before mysteriously giving up literature for good at age 20. But few realize that after abandoning poetry, he vanished into the deserts of East Africa, where he spent over a decade trading in one of the world’s most volatile commodities: coffee.

Rimbaud lived in the Ethiopian city of Harar for nearly eight years, dealing not just in coffee but also in arms and animal hides. Though he never loved the drink, he became deeply involved in the coffee trade, navigating local markets, dealing with traders, and surviving harsh conditions far from the literary salons of Europe.

The Poet Who Walked Away

By the time he turned 20, Rimbaud had already written some of the most influential and experimental poetry in the French language. His work caught the attention of fellow Symbolist poet Paul Verlaine, with whom he had a famously tumultuous and scandalous romantic relationship. But just as suddenly as he burst onto the scene, Rimbaud quit writing. By 1875, he had sworn off literature entirely and set out to remake himself as a businessman.

His goal? To escape his past and make a fortune abroad—preferably as a successful trader returning to France in glory. That journey led him first to Cyprus, then eventually to the Horn of Africa.

Coffee and Commerce in Harar

Rimbaud arrived in Harar, Ethiopia, around 1880, when he was 26. He would live there on and off for nearly eight years, until his death from cancer at age 37. Harar was a major hub in the Red Sea trade network and one of the oldest coffee-growing regions in the world. Today, it’s recognized as part of the birthplace of Coffea arabica.

While in Harar, Rimbaud wasn’t just a coffee trader. He also dealt in firearms and animal skins, adapting to the rough-and-tumble life of a frontier merchant. He learned to navigate local politics, haggle with traders, and manage supply chains stretching across difficult terrain. At times, he made good money—but just as often, he lost it all again.

Despite working with coffee every day, Rimbaud reportedly had no love for the drink. In letters, he described the local coffee trade and its surroundings as “disgusting,” full of “excrement, horror, and revolting filth.”

The Legacy of Rimbaud’s Coffee Years

Rimbaud’s time in Harar left a lasting mark, both on the city and on how we think about the connections between coffee and global exploration. His former home in Harar has been preserved and is now a museum known as the “House of the Rainbow” (Maison de la Rainbo), a popular stop for tourists interested in both coffee history and literary lore.

Unlike the coffee-loving writers of 19th-century Europe—like Balzac, who reportedly drank 30,000 cups in his lifetime, or Voltaire, who drank 40 cups a day—Rimbaud didn’t romanticize the drink. Instead, he went straight to its source, immersing himself in the chaotic, unglamorous world of production and trade. He didn’t sit in cafés philosophizing over espresso; he was out in the desert, dealing with camels, traders, and risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Arthur Rimbaud do after he stopped writing poetry?

After quitting poetry at age 20, Arthur Rimbaud reinvented himself as a trader. He traveled to Cyprus and eventually settled in Harar, Ethiopia, where he traded coffee, firearms, and animal hides for nearly a decade until his death at 37.

Where did Rimbaud live while trading coffee in Africa?

Rimbaud lived in Harar, a historic city in eastern Ethiopia known for its role in early coffee cultivation. He stayed there on and off for about eight years, from around 1880 until his death in 1891.

Did Rimbaud like coffee?

No. Despite working as a coffee trader, Rimbaud reportedly disliked coffee. In letters, he referred to the local coffee environment as disgusting, filled with excrement and filth.

What did Rimbaud trade besides coffee in Ethiopia?

In addition to coffee, Rimbaud traded firearms and animal hides in Harar. He adapted to the rough trading conditions of the region, dealing with local suppliers and managing various goods across challenging supply routes.

Is Rimbaud’s house in Harar still standing?

Yes. Rimbaud’s former home in Harar has been preserved and is now a museum called the “House of the Rainbow” (Maison de la Rainbo). It’s a popular tourist site that highlights both his life and the region’s coffee heritage.

Why is Rimbaud’s coffee trading period significant?

Rimbaud’s time as a coffee trader shows a little-known side of coffee history—how European adventurers and merchants engaged directly with coffee-producing regions. Unlike literary coffee drinkers, he experienced the raw, commercial side of the trade firsthand.

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