Biography
Marcel Pagnol (28 February 1895 – 18 April 1974) was a French novelist, playwright and filmmaker. Born in Aubagne, Bouches-du-Rhône, he trained as a teacher before turning to writing. He achieved early success with the play Topaze (1928) and the Marseille trilogy of plays Marius (1929), Fanny (1931) and César (1936).
In 1931 he moved into cinema, founding his own production company and directing films including The Baker's Wife (1938), on which he also wrote the screenplay and served as producer, and The Well-Digger's Daughter (1940). Later works include the novels Jean de Florette and Manon of the Spring (both 1962).
Pagnol was elected to the Académie française in 1946, the first filmmaker to receive the honour. His memoirs, beginning with My Father's Glory and My Mother's Castle (both 1957), became widely read.
