Balzac was born in Tours in 1799 and worked in Paris as a lawyer's clerk before becoming a writer. During his lifetime he wrote over ninety novels and short stories, many of which are considered masterpieces. He died in 1850, a few months after his marriage to Evelina Hanska, the Polish countess who had been his lover for eighteen years.

Balzac was born in Tours in 1799 and worked in Paris as a lawyer's clerk before becoming a writer. During his lifetime he wrote over ninety novels and short stories, many of which are considered masterpieces. He died in 1850, a few months after his marriage to Evelina Hanska, the Polish countess who had been his lover for eighteen years.

Balzac was born in Tours in 1799 and worked in Paris as a lawyer's clerk before becoming a writer. During his lifetime he wrote over ninety novels and short stories, many of which are considered masterpieces. He died in 1850, a few months after his marriage to Evelina Hanska, the Polish countess who had been his lover for eighteen years.