Émile Zola was a French novelist and playwright, born on April 2, 1840, in Paris. He is best known for his role in the literary movement called Naturalism, which aimed to depict life accurately and scientifically. Zola's works often focused on social issues, exploring themes like poverty, class struggle, and the impact of industrialization. One of his most famous novels is Germinal, which highlights the harsh conditions faced by coal miners in 19th-century France. Zola's writing style was characterized by detailed descriptions and a focus on the environment's influence on human behavior. He passed away on September 29, 1902, leaving a lasting legacy in literature.