Jules Goncourt was a French novelist and literary critic, born on December 17, 1830, in Paris. He is best known for co-founding the Goncourt Prize, which honors outstanding French literature. Along with his brother, Edmond Goncourt, he wrote several novels that explored themes of realism and social issues in 19th-century France. The Goncourt brothers were influential figures in the literary world, and their works often reflected their interest in the lives of ordinary people. Jules Goncourt passed away on June 20, 1870, but his legacy continues through the prestigious prize that bears his name, celebrating literary excellence.