Anatole France (1844-1924)

Awarded the Prize “in recognition of his brilliant literary achievements, characterized as they are by a nobility of style, a profound human sympathy, grace, and a true Gallic temperament.”

French novelist, critic and social activist. France was born in Paris on April 16, 1844. He received a thorough classical education at the Collège Stanislas, and for a while he studied at the école des Chartes. For about twenty years he held diverse positions but he always had enough time for his own writings. In his later years France became increasingly interested in social questions and developed some sympathies for socialism. France died in Bechellerie, France on October 12, 1924.
Major Works:
Le Crime de Sylvestre Bonnard (1881); Le Livre de mon ami (1899); Le Petit Pierre (1918); La Vie au fleur (1922)