Edmond About

Edmond François Valentin About (1828 – 1885) was a French writer, journalist and critic known for his humorous and ironic works. He became famous as an entertaining anti-clerical writer. The satire The Prince's Child (Le Roi des montagnes) from 1856 is his most famous novel.

Born in Dieuze, he was educated at the prestigious École Normale Supérieure in Paris. He began his career as a classical philologist, but quickly turned to literature and journalism. His first success was the book "The King of Garba" (1857), a satirical story that mocks political and social customs. He also wrote historical novels, essays and theater pieces, while his journalistic articles were often sharp and polemical.

He is known for his works "Greece in 1854." and "The Man with Ears", which combine humor and social criticism. He stood for liberal ideas and supported the Third French Republic. He died in Paris in 1885. His style is characterized by irony, clarity of expression and sharp consideration of social issues.