Martin Saint-Exupéry Antoine de
- Born:
- June 29, 1900, Lyon, France
- Died:
- July 31, 1944 (presumed), Mediterranean Sea
- Nationality:
- French
- Profession(s):
- Writer, Poet, Aviator, Journalist
Early Life and Education
- Early interest in aviation, nicknamed "Pique la lune" (Moon Piercer).
- Attended Jesuit school in Montgré and Saint-Louis boarding school in Fribourg, Switzerland.
- Failed the entrance exam to the École Navale.
- Studied architecture briefly at the École des Beaux-Arts.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served in the French Air Force in 1921.
- Became a pilot for Aéropostale, flying mail routes in Europe, Africa, and South America.
- Experienced numerous near-fatal plane crashes, which heavily influenced his writing.
- During World War II, flew reconnaissance missions for the Free French Air Force.
- Disappeared on a reconnaissance mission in July 1944; wreckage confirming his plane was found in 2000.
Notable Works
- Novels:
- Southern Mail (Courrier Sud) (1929)
- Night Flight (Vol de Nuit) (1931)
- Wind, Sand and Stars (Terre des Hommes) (1939)
- Flight to Arras (Pilote de Guerre) (1942)
- The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) (1943)
- Journalism and Essays.
Legacy and Impact
Martin Saint-Exupéry Antoine de, a pioneer of aviation and a celebrated author, left a lasting impact on literature and the world. His works, particularly The Little Prince, explore themes of humanity, friendship, and the importance of imagination and compassion. He is remembered as both a daring pilot and a profound writer who captured the spirit of adventure and the essence of the human condition. The lasting influence of The Little Prince firmly establishes this enduring legacy.