Edmond de Goncourt (1822-1896) was a prominent French writer who wore many hats throughout his career. He was a novelist, literary critic, art critic, and even a book publisher [Wikipedia].
He is perhaps best known for co-founding the Académie Goncourt, a prestigious literary award established in his will [Académie Goncourt, le testament d'Edmond de Goncourt]. The award is still given out today to recognize the best French prose work of the year.
Edmond collaborated with his brother Jules on many of his works, and they are often referred to jointly as the Goncourt brothers [Babelio, Edmond de Goncourt (auteur de Germinie Lacerteux)]. Some of their most famous novels include Renée Mauperin and Germinie Lacerteux
