Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Who was Antoine de Saint-Exupéry?
French aviator and author who wrote "The Little Prince," one of the most translated books in the world, and disappeared during a reconnaissance flight in 1944.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger de Saint-Exupéry was born on June 29, 1900, in Lyon, France, into an aristocratic family. After losing his father at age four, he was raised by his mother and became interested in mechanical devices and aviation at a young age. He attended several top schools, including Lycée Saint-Louis in Paris, Villa St. Jean International School in Switzerland, and Notre Dame de Mongré High School. His studies were interrupted by military service, during which he trained as a pilot in 1921.
Saint-Exupéry started his aviation career in 1926 when he joined the Aéropostale company, flying mail routes across Africa and South America. His time as a pilot inspired his literary works, as he experienced the isolation, danger, and beauty of flying over vast areas. His first novel, Southern Mail, published in 1929, was based on his experiences as an airmail pilot. He followed it with Night Flight in 1931, which won the Prix Femina and established him as both an aviator and author.
In the 1930s, Saint-Exupéry kept flying while he developed his writing. His memoir Wind, Sand and Stars, published in 1939, won both the Grand Prix du roman de l'Académie française and the National Book Award for Nonfiction in the U.S. The book mixed philosophical insights with vivid stories of his flying adventures, including a famous crash in the Sahara Desert in 1935. He married Consuelo Suncín, a Salvadoran writer and artist, but their marriage was often troubled because of his frequent travels and her unpredictable temperament.
When World War II started, Saint-Exupéry served as a reconnaissance pilot until the fall of France led him to exile in the United States. During this time, he wrote his most famous book, The Little Prince, published in 1943. The allegorical story, illustrated by him, became one of the most translated books in history. Despite his age and past injuries, he convinced military authorities to let him return to combat duty in 1944. On July 31, 1944, he flew out from Corsica on a reconnaissance mission over occupied France and did not return, disappearing over the Mediterranean Sea.
Before Fame
Saint-Exupéry grew up with both hardship and privilege. After his father, Count Jean de Saint-Exupéry, passed away, the family had less money but kept their social position. His mother, Marie de Fonscolombe, nurtured his imagination and creativity, helping shape the reflective nature of his later writing. As a young adult, he didn't pass the French Naval Academy's entrance exam, which led him to pursue civilian aviation instead.
The early 1900s was a booming era for aviation pioneers, and Saint-Exupéry joined this world as commercial aviation began opening international routes. He flew for Aéropostale, a company key to linking Europe with Africa and South America through risky mail routes, demanding great skill and bravery. These flights over unknown lands in simple planes created a generation of pilot-adventurers who became the aviation age's heroes.
Key Achievements
- Authored The Little Prince, one of the most translated books in world literature
- Won the Prix Femina for Night Flight and Grand Prix du roman de l'Académie française for Wind, Sand and Stars
- Pioneered commercial aviation routes across Africa and South America for Aéropostale
- Received multiple military honors including the Croix de guerre and Legion of Honour
- Created a unique literary genre combining aviation adventure with philosophical meditation
Did You Know?
- 01.He survived multiple aircraft crashes, including a famous 1935 crash in the Sahara Desert where he and his mechanic wandered for days before being rescued by a Bedouin.
- 02.The asteroid 2578 Saint-Exupéry and a lunar crater are named in his honor.
- 03.He was a skilled amateur magician and often performed card tricks for friends and fellow pilots.
- 04.The wreckage of his aircraft was discovered in 2004 off the coast of Marseille, nearly 60 years after his disappearance.
- 05.He invented several aviation-related devices and held multiple patents, including one for a landing system.
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| mort pour la France | 1948 | — |
| Croix de guerre 1939–1945 | 1940 | — |
| Knight of the Legion of Honour | 1930 | — |
| Officer of the Legion of Honour | 1939 | — |
| Prix Femina | 1931 | — |
| Grand Prix du roman de l'Académie française | 1939 | — |
| National Book Award for Nonfiction | 1939 | — |
| Retro Hugo Award for Best Novella | 2019 | — |
| Ambassadors' Prize | 1948 | — |
| Retro Hugo Award for Best Novella | 2019 | — |
| National Book Award | 1939 | — |