Andre Malraux Biography

André Malraux	Born: 1901-11-03 Birthplace: Paris, France Died: 1976-11-23 Location of Death: Paris, France Remains: Buried, Panthéon, Paris Race: White Field: Novelist, Author Famous for: La Condition Humaine
Top 500 Influencial People #500 Field: Novelist

André Malraux was a French author, adventurer and statesman.

Malraux was born in Paris. He studied Oriental languages and spent some time in Asia. He became highly critical of the French colonial authorities in Indochina and helped to organize the Young Annam League and founded the newspaper Indochina in Chains.

On his return to France he published his first novel, The Temptation of the West (1926). This was followed by The Conquerors (1928), The Royal Way (1930) and Man's Fate (French: La Condition Humaine) (1934), a powerful novel about the defeat of a communist regime in Shanghai and the choices the losers have to face. He won the 1933 Prix Goncourt of literature for the latter novel.

During the Spanish Civil War Malraux served as a pilot for the Republican forces. He also toured the United States in an attempt to raise fund for the Republicans. A novel about his experiences, Man's Hope, appeared in 1938.

On the outbreak of the Second World War Malraux joined the French Army and served in a tank unit. He was captured in 1940 during the Western Offensive but he escaped and joined the French Resistance. He was captured by the Gestapo in 1944 and even though he underwent a mock execution he was still alive when he was rescued by members of the resistance.

After the war General Charles De Gaulle appointed Malraux as his minister of information (1945-1946). He also served as minister of cultural affairs (1960-1969).

Other books by Malraux include The Psychology of Art (1949), The Voices of Silence (1953) and his autobiography, published in 1967. André Malraux died in Paris on November 23, 1976.