Prosper Mérimée, French author, 1803-1870

The French dramatist, historian, archaeologist, and short story writer is perhaps best known for his novella Carmen, which became the basis of Bizet’s opera Carmen. Mérimée loved mysticism, history, the unusual, and mystification (in the latter he was influenced by Charles Nodier), the historical fiction popularised by Sir Walter Scott and the cruelty and psychological drama of Aleksandr Pushkin. Many of his stories are mysteries set in foreign places, Spain and Russia being popular sources of inspiration.