De Balzac, Honore: - Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was a French novelist and playwright, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 19th century. He is best known for his monumental work, La Comédie Humaine (The Human Comedy), a series of interconnected novels and stories that offer a panoramic view of French society during his time. Balzac's works are celebrated for their detailed character development, realistic settings, and exploration of themes such as ambition, power, and human flaws. His influential writing style has left a lasting impact on literary realism, inspiring generations of writers and readers.