Cyrano de Bergerac

Born in Paris in 1619 as Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac, he was a French writer, soldier, and duelist whose reputation for wit and independence became almost legendary. Although many people know him through Edmond Rostand’s later play, the historical Cyrano was a real author who wrote with energy, humor, and a rebellious streak.

He is remembered for works such as L'Autre monde, including The States and Empires of the Moon and The States and Empires of the Sun, which used fantastical journeys to explore philosophy, science, and society. These stories are often seen as early examples of science fiction, showing how comfortably he mixed imagination with big questions.

Cyrano died in 1655, but his life has continued to fascinate readers for centuries. Part swashbuckling figure and part serious man of letters, he remains an unusual and lively presence in French literary history.