Joseph Kessel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Kessel
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Kessel in June 1948
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| Born | 10 February 1898 Villa Clara, Entre Ríos, Argentina |
| Died | 23 July 1979 (aged 81) Avernes, Val-d'Oise, France |
| Allegiance |  France Free France |
| Service/ |
 French Naval Aviation Free French Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1914–1918 1939–1945 |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Legion of Honour |
| Other work | Journalist Writer |
Joseph Kessel (born February 10, 1898 – died July 23, 1979) was a famous French journalist and novelist. He was also known as "Jef." He became a member of the important Académie française and received a very high honor called the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.
Contents
About Joseph Kessel
Early Life and Adventures
Joseph Kessel was born in Villa Clara, Argentina. His family was Jewish, and his father was a doctor from Lithuania. Because his father traveled a lot, Joseph spent his early childhood in Orenburg, Russia, from 1905 to 1908. In 1908, his family moved to France. He went to school in Nice and Paris.
Serving in Two World Wars
Kessel was an aviator, meaning he flew airplanes, in both World War I and World War II. During World War II, he flew for the Free French forces. He was part of a special bombing group called "Lorraine" (also known as 342 Squadron RAF). Another talented French writer, Romain Gary, also flew with him.
His Famous Writings
Joseph Kessel wrote many novels and books. Some of his stories were even turned into movies! One of his most famous works, Belle de Jour, became a movie in 1967.
In 1943, during World War II, Kessel and his nephew Maurice Druon did something very important. They translated a song called Chant des Partisans from Russian into French. This song became one of the main anthems, or official songs, for the Free French Forces during the war. It was a symbol of hope and resistance.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1962, Joseph Kessel was chosen to be a member of the Académie française. This is a very respected group in France that protects the French language. He passed away on July 23, 1979, in Avernes, France. He is buried in Paris.
Today, there is a special award named after him, called the Joseph-Kessel Prize (Prix Joseph Kessel). This prize is given to a French book that has great literary value. Many famous writers and thinkers have been on the jury for this important award.
Books and Movies
Joseph Kessel's stories were so good that many of them were made into films. He wrote novels that became movies, and he also helped write screenplays for other films.
Movies Based on His Books
- The Crew (1928)
- L'Équipage (1935)
- The Woman I Love (1937)
- Le Bataillon du ciel (1947)
- Sirocco (1951)
- The Lovers of Lisbon (1955)
- The Lion (1962)
- Belle de Jour (1967)
- Army of Shadows (1969)
- The Horsemen (1971)
- The Passerby (1982)
Movies He Wrote For
Joseph Kessel also worked as a screenwriter, helping to write the scripts for these movies:
- Cessez le feu (1934)
- Mayerling (1936)
- Les Bateliers de la Volga (1936)
- La Peur (1936)
- The Secrets of the Red Sea (1937)
- The Man from Niger (1940)
- At the Grand Balcony (1949)
- Le Grand Cirque (1950)
- Act of Love (1953)
- Oasis (1955)
- La Passe du diable (1958)
- The Night of the Generals (1967)
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Kessel para niños
