Career
He served in the conquest of Algeria, the Crimean War and the Sardinian Campaign. He is best known as the father of the poet, Arthur Rimbaud. Rimbaud, a Burgundian of Provençal extraction, was a captain in the 47th Regiment of Infantry.
He had risen from the ranks, and he had spent much of his service outside France.
From 1844-1850, he participated in the conquest of Algeria and in 1854 was awarded the Légion d"honneur "by Imperial decree". Captain Rimbaud was described as "good-tempered, easy-going and generous".
They had five children:
Nicolas Frédéric ("Frédéric"), born 2 November 1853
Jean Nicolas Arthur ("Arthur"), born 20 October 1854
Victorine-Pauline-Vitalie, born 4 June 1857 (she died a few weeks later)
Jeanne-Rosalie-Vitalie ("Vitalie"), born 15 June 1858
Frédérique Marie Isabelle ("Isabelle"), born 1 June 1860. Though the marriage lasted seven years, Rimbaud lived continuously in the matrimonial home for less than three months, from February to May 1853.
The rest of the time his military postings – including service in the Crimean War and the Sardinian Campaign (and earning medals for both) - meant he returned home to Charleville only when on leave.
After Isabelle"s birth in 1860, Rimbaud never returned to the family home. After their separation, Mme Rimbaud called herself "Widow Rimbaud". Rimbaud left the army in 1864 and retired to Dijon, where he died 14 years later.