André Maurois was a French author and biographer, born on July 26, 1885, and died on October 9, 1967. He is best known for his biographical works, including the celebrated 'Lelia: The Life of George Sand,' which won the prestigious Goncourt Prize in 1954. In addition to his biographical works, Maurois was also a prolific novelist and essayist. One of his notable works in this genre is 'Ariel: A Shelley Romance'. The novel is a fictionalized account of the life of the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and his relationship with his wife, Mary Shelley, the author of 'Frankenstein.' Maurois's writing style is characterized by its elegance and clarity, and he was known for his ability to capture the personalities of his subjects in his biographical works. His works were widely translated and enjoyed great popularity both in France and abroad.