Émile Zola

Émile Zola was born in Paris on April 2, 1840. Following his initial success with the novel "Thérèse Raquin" (1867), he conceived the idea of a grand "realistic and scientific" multi-volume novel, chronicling the story of a family, the Rougon-Macquart, during the period of the Second Empire, a work that would be completed over 22 years. In 1877, his novel "L'Assommoir" brought him widespread recognition, while the publication of "Nana" (1880) caused a scandal. He played a significant role in the Dreyfus Affair with his fiery article "J'Accuse." He died from smoke inhalation on September 29, 1902, in his apartment in Paris due to a blocked chimney. Although the police ruled his death an accident, given the number of enemies he had made from the Dreyfus Affair, rumors of his murder continued to intrigue the public.