Edmond de Goncourt (May 26, 1822 – July 16, 1896), writer, critic, book publisher and the founder of the Académie Goncourt.
He was born Edmond Louis Antoine Huot de Goncourt in Nancy, France.
He bequeathed his entire estate for the foundation and maintenance of the Académie Goncourt. In honor of his brother and collaborator, Jules Alfred Huot de Goncourt, (December 17, 1830 – June 20, 1870), each December since 1903, the Académie awards the Prix Goncourt. It is the most prestigious prize in French language literature, given to "the best imaginary prose work of the year".
A few of the authors who have won the 100 year-old-prize are:
Marcel Proust, Jean Fayard , Simone de Beauvoir,
Georges Duhamel, Michel Tournier, Antonine Maillet, Marguerite Duras and the only person to win it twice, Romain Gary.
Edmond de Goncourt died in Champrosay , France and was interred in the Cimetière de Montmartre in Paris, France.