Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre (June 21, 1905 – April 15, 1980) was a French philosopher, novelist, playwright, screenwriter, literary critic, and political activist. He began his career as a professor. He studied philosophy in Germany during World War II. When Nazi Germany occupied France, Sartre joined the underground French resistance. Sartre is known and celebrated as a prolific writer, for his literary works and his philosophy, known as existentialism, but also for his political affiliation with the far left.
Sartre was a constant companion of the philosopher and writer Simone de Beauvoir, whom her political enemies called “the great Sartrean.” Although their philosophies are close, they should not be confused. The two writers were influenced by each other.