"The Life of Émile Zola" is a biography that explores the life of the influential French writer Émile Zola. Born on April 2, 1840, in Paris, Zola became a prominent figure in the literary movement known as Naturalism. His works often depicted the struggles of the working class and addressed social issues, making him a key voice in 19th-century literature. Zola is best known for his series of novels called Les Rougon-Macquart, which examines the impact of heredity and environment on individuals. He was also an outspoken advocate for justice, famously defending Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer wrongfully accused of treason, in his open letter "J'accuse." Zola passed away on September 29, 1902.