Origins & Early Life

Louis Émile Clément Georges Bernanos (French: [ʒɔʁʒ bɛʁnanɔs]; 20 February 1888 – 5 July 1948) was a French author, and a soldier in World War I. A Catholic with monarchist leanings, he was critical of elitist thought and was opposed to what he identified as defeatism. He believed this had led to France's defeat and eventual occupation by Germany in 1940 during World War II. His two best-known novels Sous le soleil de Satan (1926) and the Journal d'un curé de campagne (1936) both revolve around a parish priest who combats evil and despair in the world.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Most of his novels have been translated into English and frequently published in both Great Britain and the United States. Bernanos was born in Paris, into a family of craftsmen. He spent much of his childhood in the village of Fressin, Pas-de-Calais region, which became a frequent setting for his novels. He served in the First World War as a soldier, where he fought in the battles of the Somme and Verdun. He was wounded several times.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the war, he worked in insurance before writing Sous le soleil de Satan (1926, Under the Sun of Satan). He won the Grand Prix du roman de l'Académie française for The Diary of...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Barry Fitzgerald — Contemporary (Born in 1888) (1888): Esteemed Irish actor known for his versatile stage and screen performances.
• C. V. Raman — Contemporary (Born in 1888) (1888): Pioneering physicist renowned for the discovery of the light scattering phenomenon.
• Dale Carnegie — Contemporary (Born in 1888) (1888): Pioneering author and lecturer on self-improvement, public speaking, and human relations.
• Abby Aldrich Rockefeller — Contemporary (Died in 1948) (1948): American socialite and influential philanthropist, key patron of modern art.
• Abdulrazak Gurnah — Contemporary (Born in 1948) (1948): Acclaimed Tanzanian novelist and Nobel laureate exploring themes of colonialism and refuge.
• Al Gore — Contemporary (Born in 1948) (1948): American politician, businessman, and leading voice on environmental issues.
• Adalbert Gyrowetz — Shared historical date (02-20 · Born) (1763): Czech-Austrian composer known for symphonies and string quartets.
• Ansel Adams — Shared historical date (02-20 · Born) (1902): Iconic photographer and environmentalist celebrated for the American West's landscapes.
• Cecil Rhodes — Shared historical date (07-05 · Born) (1853): British mining magnate and politician who established Rhodesia and De Beers.
• Chuck Close — Shared historical date (07-05 · Born) (1940): Pioneering master of massive-scale photorealist and abstract portraiture.
• 1888 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1888
• February 20 (02-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 20
• 1948 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1948
• July 5 (07-05) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 5