Lev Aslanovich Tarasov, known to the literary world as Henri Troyat, crossed a fractured Europe as a child refugee following the Russian Revolution. Settling in Paris in 1920, the Moscow-born author eventually secured his place in French letters, producing an extensive body of work that bridged his Russian heritage with his adopted citizenship.
Exile and Education
Born in 1911 in Moscow to a family of Armenian heritage, Troyat witnessed the collapse of the Russian Empire firsthand. The subsequent flight took his family through the Caucasus and Crimea before they reached safety by sea via Istanbul and Venice. Arriving in Paris in 1920, he attended the Lycée Pasteur and completed a law degree, providing the foundation for a prolific career in the French language.
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Troyat achieved early success, winning the Eugène Dabit populist novel award in 1935 for his debut period. By 1938, at age twenty-seven, he secured the prestigious Prix Goncourt. His novel L'Araigne remains one of his notable works, while his book La neige en deuil gained international reach, adapted into the 1956 film The Mountain.
Biographical Contributions
Beyond fiction, Troyat established himself as a prominent historian and biographer. His focus frequently returned to the titans of Russian history and literature, including studies of Catherine the Great, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Ivan the Terrible, Anton Chekhov, and Alexander I. These works, written in French, cemented his reputation as a bridge between Slavic history and Western readership.
Academic and Public Life
In 1959, Troyat was elected to the Académie française, occupying seat 28. He remained a member until his death in 2007 at his home in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. Throughout his tenure, he received numerous accolades, culminating in his elevation to Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour in 1996 and Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour in 2006.
Fast facts
- Born: 1911, Moscow
- Died: 2007, Paris
- Académie française seat: 28 (1959-2007)
- Prix Goncourt winner: 1938
- Primary languages: French, Russian
- Burial site: Montparnasse Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Henri Troyat's birth name?
He was born Lev Aslanovich Tarasov.
Which major honor did Troyat receive in 2006?
He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.
Achievements
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour — 2006
- Prix Goncourt — 1938
- Ambassadors' Prize — 1977
- Knight of the Legion of Honour — 1951
- Notable work: L'Araigne
- Genres: biography, short novel and essay
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