Émile Zola

Émile Zola was a French novelist and playwright, renowned for his significant contribution to the literary movement known as naturalism in the late 19th century. He believed literature should reflect reality and explore the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior. Zola is best known for his series of novels called "Les Rougon-Macquart," which examines the lives of a single family over several generations. His work often tackled social issues, including poverty and injustice, and he was an outspoken advocate for workers' rights. Zola's literary legacy has had a lasting impact on literature and social thought.