Tristan Bernard


Tristan Bernard was a French playwright, novelist, journalist and lawyer.

Life

He studied law, and after his military service, he started his career as the manager of an aluminium smelter. In the 1890s, he managed the Vélodrome de la Seine at Levallois-Perret and the Vélodrome Buffalo, events that were an integral part of Parisian life, being regularly attended by personalities such as Toulouse-Lautrec. He reputedly introduced the bell to signify the last lap of a race.
He identified as an anarchist.
During the Occupation Bernard was arrested in the South of France in September 1943 because he was Jewish, and sent to the Drancy camp. Thanks to the efforts of his friends Sacha Guitry and Arletty he was released a few weeks later.
Famous for his wit, Bernard was also a crossword creator.

Works

Plays

Narrative works

Filmography

Screenwriter