Émile Zola

Profession: Novelist and Critic

Nationality:

Biography: Émile Zola was a French novelist, playwright, and journalist who became a leading figure in the literary movement known as Naturalism. Known for his powerful, realistic depictions of French society and his unflinching exploration of social issues, Zola's work left an indelible mark on the world of literature and inspired generations of writers and social reformers.

Zola's literary career began in the 1860s, but it was the publication of his 1867 novel, Thérèse Raquin, that first brought him widespread attention. The novel's gritty, unsentimental portrayal of human nature and its exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche marked a departure from the Romantic literature that had dominated French literature in the previous decades.

In the 1870s, Zola embarked on his most ambitious project, a 20-novel series collectively known as "Les Rougon-Macquart." This monumental work chronicled the lives of several generations of a single family against the backdrop of France's Second Empire. Through these interconnected stories, Zola sought to provide a comprehensive examination of French society and the forces that shaped it.

Zola was also a prominent political activist and journalist, and his involvement in the infamous Dreyfus Affair brought him international fame. In 1898, Zola published an open letter titled "J'accuse…!", in which he accused the French military of conspiring to falsely convict Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army officer, of treason. Zola's courageous stand in defense of justice and human rights cost him dearly, as he was forced into exile in England for a time, but it ultimately helped bring about Dreyfus's exoneration.

Born: April 2, 1840
Birthplace: Paris, France
Star Sign: Aries

Died: September 28, 1902 (aged 62)