Dec 14, 1955: Birth of French filmmaker, actor, writer, and photographer, Hervé Guibert. Author of numerous novels and autobiographies, Guibert helped change French attitudes about HIV/AIDS throughout the 1980s. He documented his illness on page and film, succumbing at age 36.

Dec 17, 1706: Birth of French natural philosopher and mathematician Émilie du Châtelet. Her most recognized achievement is her translation of and commentary on Isaac Newton's 1687 book Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica containing basic laws of physics.

Dec 19, 1915: Birth of French singer, lyricist, and actress, Édith Piaf. Nicknamed “The Little Sparrow”, Piaf became an international superstar who today is best known for her superhit "La Vie en Rose".

Dec 27, 1822: Birth of French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur who discovered the principles of vaccination and began using them to protect cattle against Anthrax in the 1870s. Today, there are over 2 dozen vaccines available in the U.S. saving millions of lives per year.

Jan 1, 1769: Birth of French midwife Marie-Louise Lachapelle. Lachapelle was head of obstetrics at the Hôtel-Dieu, Paris. She wrote books on women's bodies, gynecology, and obstetrics. Seen as the mother of modern obstetrics, she opposed forceps and promoted natural childbirth.

Jan 6, 1909: Birth of French existentialist philosopher, writer, social theorist, and feminist activist, Simone de Beauvoir. Winner of the 1954 Prix Goncourt, Beauvoir was the lifelong partner of Jean Paul Sartre. They are buried side by side in the Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.

Feb 4, 1909: Birth of Franco-Italian illustrator René Gruau. Gruau's portrayals of chic designs have had a lasting impact on the fashion industry.

"Love? It's like Daddy and Mommy... When one of us finishes the sentences of..." "When do we eat?"

Feb 20, 1875: Birth of French athlete, mountaineer, aviator, and journalist, Marie Marvingt. Marvingt won numerous prizes in various sports including hot-air ballooning. 1915, she became the first woman to fly combat missions, dropping bombs over German-held territory.

Mar 5, 1829: Birth of French artist Jean-Jacques Henner, noted for his use of sfumato, a painting technique for softening the transition between colors.

Apr 2, 1878: Birth of French painter Emilie Charmy. Charmy was an artist in France's early avant-garde. She worked closely with Fauve artists like Henri Matisse.

Sadly, political cartoonists, whose job entails mockery and provocation, must worry about their safety. Here's my take on the controversy surrounding a recent drawing by Corinne, a survivor of the 2015 terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo. Libération casdinteret.com/2024/04/new-ro…

In light of Faith Ringgold's recent death, I thought I'd revisit a small slice of her visual storytelling opus that brilliantly connects France to her aspirations and struggles as a young artist. casdinteret.com/2024/04/the-fa…

For those who plan to attend France's spectacular hosting of the Olympic Games this summer, be sure to heed the words of one of the nation's most lauded storytellers, Jean de La Fontaine. #translation #JOParis2024 casdinteret.com/2024/05/unique…

casdinteret.com/2017/05/no-go-… #nogozones #fakenews

Below is my review of a fast-paced historical thriller by bestselling French author, Pierre Lemaitre. casdinteret.com/2024/09/le-gra…

A visit to the Pat Conroy Literary Center brought back a flood of childhood memories. #PatConroy #racism casdinteret.com/2024/10/pat-co…

A selection of gags from some of France’s favorite political cartoonists, taking aim at the new U.S. presidency. Drawn since January 20, 2025. casdinteret.com/2025/04/france…

casdinteret.com/2025/04/musee-… A bit about Théophile Steinlen, followed by a delightful parade of his captivating cat illustrations.