Historia Calamitatum ( The Story of His Misfortunes) was written in 1132 by the French theologian and philosopher Peter Abelard (1079–1140). In the text, Abelard describes the many misfortunes and calamities that have befallen him, most notably his scandalous affair with his brilliant student (and future wife) Héloïse, which resulted in his castration and their retirement into monasteries. He also expresses his views on women and marriage. The Historia is one of the earliest autobiographies written in western Europe. It also functioned as the impetus for Héloïse to initiate their deeply philosophical (and famous) letter correspondence.