Alice B Toklas

Alice B. Toklas (April 30, 1877 – March 7, 1967) was an American-born member of the Parisian avant-garde of the early 20th century. She is best known as the life partner of writer Gertrude Stein. Toklas was born in San Francisco, California, and moved to Paris in 1907, where she met Stein on the very first day she arrived. Together, they hosted a Paris salon that attracted expatriate American writers, such as Ernest Hemingway, Paul Bowles, and Thornton Wilder, and avant-garde painters, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Georges Braque.

Early Life

Alice Babette Toklas was born into a middle-class Jewish family in San Francisco. Her parents were immigrants from Poland. After studying music at the University of Washington, she moved to Paris, where she would spend the majority of her life.

Life with Gertrude Stein

In Paris, Toklas became Stein's partner in both life and work. While Stein focused on her writing, Toklas managed their household and became an accomplished cook. She is often credited with introducing the concept of the modern American cookbook with her book, The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book, published in 1954. The book is famous for its recipe for "hashish fudge," which is often cited as an early example of edibles.

Literary Contributions

Though not a writer herself, Toklas played a significant role in the literary community of Paris. The salon she and Stein hosted was a focal point for many leading figures in literature and art. Toklas also worked as an editor, helping to refine Stein's complex manuscripts. After Stein's death in 1946, Toklas published several books, including What Is Remembered, which chronicles her life with Stein, and The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook.

Legacy

Alice B. Toklas remains a significant figure in the history of the Parisian avant-garde and is remembered for her contributions to the literary and culinary worlds. Her relationship with Gertrude Stein also stands as a notable example of a same-sex partnership in the early 20th century.

See Also

• Gertrude Stein
• Avant-garde
• Paris in the 1920s
• American expatriate writers in Paris