Emile Zola

Émile Zola (1840-1902) was a pivotal French novelist and journalist, best known for his series of twenty novels titled *Les Rougon-Macquart*. Published between 1871 and 1893, this series provides a detailed panorama of French society during the Second Empire. His 1898 open letter, "J'accuse...!", addressed to the President of France, was instrumental in the exoneration of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army officer wrongly convicted of treason. This letter significantly influenced the French government and showcased Zola’s commitment to social justice. Another notable work is *Germinal* (1885), which vividly depicts the harsh life of coal miners. Zola's realism and naturalism marked a significant shift in literary style, emphasizing social conditions and the environment's impact on human behavior.