Honore de Balzac

Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850) is one of the most important French realist writers. Born in Tours, he studied law, but soon devoted himself to literature. His monumental work The Human Comedy (La Comédie humaine) includes more than 90 novels and short stories, in which he realistically portrayed the French society of the 19th century.

Balzac is known for his exceptional analytical skills, detailed descriptions and psychological depth of the characters. Among his most famous novels are Otac Goriot, Evgenija Grandet, Lost Illusions and The Glory and Misery of the Courtesan. He was a prolific writer, obsessed with work, often writing at night with copious amounts of coffee.

Despite financial problems and an exhausting lifestyle, he left an indelible mark on world literature. His works inspired many authors, including Flaubert, Zola and Dickens. He died in Paris in 1850, leaving behind an oeuvre that remains the foundation of the realist novel.