Émile Zola

1840, France — 1902

Émile Zola was a leading figure in literary naturalism, known for Germinal, Thérèse Raquin, and the Rougon-Macquart cycle. His works were censored for explicit content and unflinching social critique. Zola famously defended justice in the Dreyfus Affair with his open letter J'Accuse, reinforcing his lifelong stance against suppression and state power.