the age of 18, in 1912, he travelled to New York. To survive, he set up an import/export business on Broadway. As his first language was French, he resolutely attended the same Broadway show again and again until he had learned the basics of New York English. In 1934, at age 40, he left business for a life of literature and philanthropy. Due to his exceptional success in business and later on acclaimed literary endeavors, Corm enjoyed an impressive international contact network. According to Rushdy Maalouf, "Charles had the amazing faculty to befriend all kind of people with the same ease. At times, it seemed there was nobody he did not know. This granted him tremendous clout in business, literature and politics. Whether through business or art, Charles spent his life building powerful bridges between Lebanon, often referred to at the time as the Paris of the Middle East, and the West". Back in Beirut's golden years, Rushdy Maalouf also noted that it was not unusual for artists, intellectuals and business, political and cultural figures visiting Lebanon for the first time to have Charles Corm and his home, which hosted grandiose parties, on their itinerary of people and places to see: "they visited Lebanon seeking Charles Corm the same way some of us may visit Athens to see the Acropolis. This is the veneration that many, Lebanese and foreigners alike, held for Charles Corm and is so present in his mystique". An uncommitted bachelor for most of his life, Charles Corm finally married Samia Baroody in 1935. Samia Baroody had been Miss Lebanon and took second place in the 1934 Miss Universe pageant in New York City. Charles Corm and his wife Samia went on to have four children: David, Hiram, Virginie and Madeleine. In addition to his prolific literary legacy that can now be found in most libraries and universities around the world, Charles Corm left one of the most substantial fortunes in the region. Works La Revue Phénicienne La Montagne Inspirée, Edgar Allan Poe International Poetry Prize 1934 (translated into English under the title "The Sacred Mountain") 6000 ans de Génie Pacifique au Service de l'Humanité (translated into English under the title "6000 Years of Peaceful Contributions to Mankind") Contes Erotiques (translated into English under the title "Erotic Tales") Les Cahiers de l'Enfant Sonnets Adolescents La Montagne Parfumée L'Eternel Féminin Médaillons en Musique de l'Ame Libanaise Petite Cosmogonie