Jules Romains was a French novelist and playwright, born on August 26, 1885, in Saint-Bonnet-le-Château. He is best known for his monumental work, the Les Hommes de bonne volonté, a series of novels that explore the lives of various characters in early 20th-century France. Romains was a prominent figure in the literary movement known as Unanimism, which emphasized collective human experience. In addition to his novels, Romains wrote plays and essays, contributing significantly to French literature. He was awarded the Prix de la langue française in 1946 and was a member of the Académie française, reflecting his influence and recognition in the literary world. Romains passed away on August 14, 1972.