Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: The Author of the Little Prince
Who was Antoine de Saint-Exupéry?
Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, Comte de Saint-Exupéry was a French aristocrat, writer, poet, and pioneering aviator. He was born on June 29, 1900, in Lyon, France, and died in a plane crash on July 31, 1944, during a reconnaissance mission over the Mediterranean Sea during World War II.
Saint-Exupéry is best known for his novel The Little Prince (1943), a children's book that has been translated into more than 300 languages and sold more than 200 million copies worldwide. The book tells the story of a pilot who crashes in the Sahara Desert and meets a young prince from another planet.
Early Life and Career
Saint-Exupéry was born into a wealthy family in Lyon, France. His father died when he was four, and his mother raised him and his four siblings. Saint-Exupéry attended a Catholic boarding school and later studied architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
In 1921, Saint-Exupéry was drafted into the French Air Force. He served as a pilot for the next several years, and during this time he began writing about his experiences. In 1926, he published his first novel, Southern Mail, which was based on his experiences as a mail pilot.
Writing Career
After his military service, Saint-Exupéry worked as a commercial pilot for several years. He also continued to write, and in 1931 he published Night Flight, a novel that won the Prix Fémina, one of France's most prestigious literary awards.
In 1940, Saint-Exupéry fled France after the German invasion. He lived in the United States for several years, where he wrote several books, including The Little Prince. In 1943, he joined the Free French Air Force and returned to Europe to fight in World War II.
Death and Legacy
On July 31, 1944, Saint-Exupéry disappeared during a reconnaissance mission over the Mediterranean Sea. His plane was never found, and he is presumed to have been killed in action. He was 44 years old.
Saint-Exupéry is considered one of the most important writers of the 20th century. His works have been translated into more than 300 languages and have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide. The Little Prince is one of the most popular children's books of all time, and it has been adapted into several films, television shows, and stage productions.
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