About the Author

Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre (also called Bernardin de St. Pierre) (1737 - 1814) was a French writer and botanist. He is best known for his 1788 novel Paul et Virginie, now largely forgotten, but in the 19th century a very popular children's book. Saint-Pierre was an avid advocate and practitioner of vegetarianism and although he was a devout Christian he was also heavily influenced by Enlightenment-era intellectuals like Voltaire and his mentor Rousseau.