Claude Debussy was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a suburb of Paris, France. He was a child prodigy who began piano lessons at the age of 7. By the time he was 11, he entered the Paris Conservatory and studied there with many notable musicians including César Franck, Albert Lavignac, and Émile Durand.

It is said that from an early age Debussy challenged his teachers, was argumentative, and suffered from depression. As a musician, he favored sounds and styles that veered from the norm. His compositions were criticized as lacking in musical style. He used dissonance with no resolution, which he called "floating chords," and melodies based on the whole-tone scale.

Despite this criticism, he was a winner of the coveted Prix de Rome with his composition L'Enfant Prodigue. His prize was a scholarship to the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

It seemed however that he was a disappointment to the scholars at the Académie, who had hoped for something different from the brilliant student. He again was criticized for his independent style of composition.

In 1888, Debussy was exposed to the works of
Richard Wagner (1813-1883). This had a lasting effect on his future compositions. It was around this time he met fellow composer Erik Satie (1866-1925). The two became fast friends and somewhat struggled together not only to make ends meet but also to compose in free-style.

Debussy married a fashion model, Rosalie Texier, in 1899, the best friend of his girlfriend of 9 years, Gabrille Dupont. Dupont attempted suicide after this. Debussy stayed only a few years with Texier, apparently becoming annoyed with her lack of knowledge.
 
He then left Texier for the wife of a Paris banker, Emma Bardac, in 1904. Texier also attempted suicide after that, and the scandal forced him and his new girlfriend, who was also pregnant with his only child, Claude-Emma, to flee for a time to England.

During his lifetime, Debussy gained notoriety and popularity. His music was published and performed, and he himself toured as a guest conductor throughout Europe. He also became a music critic as well as a piano teacher.

Towards the end of his life, he had planned an American tour. Unfortunately because of the outbreak of World War I as well as a down-turn in his own health due to cancer, this tour never materialized.

Although he was the survivor of one of the first ever colostomies, he died 2 years later from complications of colorectal cancer.

Due to World War I and the desperate situation in France at that time, he did not have a funeral. His wife Emma and their daughter are buried with him.