French · 1900–1977
French poet and screenwriter who made verse popular again. Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Prévert joined the Surrealists briefly, wrote for the theater troupe Groupe Octobre, and became France's most successful screenwriter with films like Les Enfants du Paradis and Le Quai des brumes. His poetry collection Paroles (1946) sold millions—rare for poetry in any language. The poems work through everyday speech, wordplay, political anger, and tenderness without pretension. Children memorize them; adults recognize their city streets and cafés. He wrote with what looked like simplicity, which is the hardest thing to do.