Émile Zola
- Born:
- April 2, 1840, Paris, France
- Died:
- September 29, 1902, Paris, France
- Nationality:
- French
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Playwright, Journalist
Early Life and Education
- Born to Francesco Zola, an Italian engineer, and Émilie Aubert.
- Spent part of his childhood in Aix-en-Provence, later moving back to Paris.
- Attended the Collège Saint-Louis in Marseille and later the Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris, where he failed to obtain his baccalauréat.
- After failing his baccalauréat, he endured a period of poverty.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his career as a clerk at the Hachette publishing house.
- Started writing literary and art reviews for various newspapers.
- Became a leading figure of the Naturalist movement in literature.
- His major achievement was the 20-volume series of novels, Les Rougon-Macquart, exploring the social and hereditary influences on a family during the Second Empire.
- Famous for his open letter J'Accuse…!, published in 1898, denouncing the injustice of the Dreyfus affair. This act led to his conviction for libel and subsequent exile to England.
- Returned to France after being pardoned.
- The reference, for those seeking information, to '7040 w emile zola biography' would most likely be referring to the library of Congress classification of biographies of Emile Zola.
Notable Works
| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thérèse Raquin | 1867 | Early novel exploring themes of adultery and murder. |
| Germinal | 1885 | Considered one of his masterpieces, depicting the harsh realities of coal miners' lives. |
| Nana | 1880 | A novel focusing on a courtesan during the Second Empire. |
| L'Assommoir | 1877 | Portrays the devastating effects of alcoholism on a working-class family. |
| J'Accuse…! | 1898 | Open letter addressing the Dreyfus affair. |
Legacy and Impact
- Zola's work had a profound impact on the development of the Naturalist novel.
- His unflinching portrayal of social realities influenced subsequent generations of writers.
- His courageous stance in the Dreyfus affair made him a symbol of intellectual and political courage.
Émile Zola's legacy rests on his contributions to literature and his unwavering commitment to social justice. He remains a significant figure in French literary history.