- Henri Ren Albert Guy de Maupassant was a popular 19th century French author known for writing short stories. He is considered one of the founders of the modern short story genre.
- Maupassant drew heavily from his experiences fighting in the Franco-Prussian war, and many of his stories depict the suffering of civilians during war. He is known for his realistic yet pessimistic style.
- Later in life, Maupassant suffered from mental illness and attempted suicide before being committed to an asylum where he later died. He wrote many classic short stories that were hugely influential, including "The Necklace".