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Romain Gary

Romain Gary was a Lithuanian-born French novelist, diplomat, filmmaker, and military aviator.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Romain Gary was a Lithuanian-born French novelist, diplomat, filmmaker, and military aviator. Born Roman Kacew, he also wrote under the pen name Émile Ajar and remains the only author to have won the Prix Goncourt twice. He is regarded as a major figure in French literature of the 20th century.

Early life

Romain Gary was born Roman Kacew in Vilnius in 1914 and later moved to France. Sources describe him as of Lithuanian Jewish background.

Literary career

Gary wrote novels, essays, and other works in French and became known for his stylistic range and use of pseudonyms. His identity as Émile Ajar was concealed during the literary hoax that led to his second Goncourt win.

Diplomatic and wartime service

During the Second World War, Gary served as an aviator with the Free French forces. After the war, he entered the French diplomatic service.

Prix Goncourt double win

Gary is the only writer to have won the Prix Goncourt twice. The second award came for a novel published under the name Émile Ajar, making the result especially notable in French literary history.

Legacy

Gary is remembered as a major 20th-century French author and an unconventional public figure. His life and work continue to attract interest for both literary and biographical reasons.

Key facts

  • Born in Vilnius and later became a French citizen and public figure.
  • Served as a military aviator during the Second World War.
  • Worked in French diplomacy after the war, including a posting in Los Angeles.
  • Published fiction under multiple names, including Émile Ajar.
  • Won the Prix Goncourt twice, once under his own name and once under a pseudonym.
  • Is widely considered an important writer in postwar French literature.
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Canadian context

Gary is studied in Canadian French-language literature courses and comparative literature programs, especially for his use of pseudonymity, postwar identity, and his influence on 20th-century French prose.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Romain Gary?
He was a Lithuanian-born French novelist, diplomat, filmmaker, and wartime aviator best known for his novels and his use of the pen name Émile Ajar.
What was Romain Gary’s real name?
His birth name was Roman Leibovich Kacew, often rendered as Roman Kacew.
Why is Romain Gary famous in French literature?
He is the only author to have won the Prix Goncourt twice, including once under a pseudonym.
What did Romain Gary do during World War II?
He served as a military aviator with the Free French forces.
What is Romain Gary’s best-known pen name?
Émile Ajar is his best-known pseudonym.
When did Romain Gary die?
He died in Paris on 2 December 1980.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romain_Gary
    Supports: Birth name, dates, occupations, Émile Ajar pseudonym, dual Prix Goncourt wins, and literary importance.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Romain-Gary
    Supports: Biographical details, birthplace, death place, and his status as a Lithuanian-born French novelist.
  3. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romain_Gary
    Supports: Resistance and aviation service, diplomatic career, and the Émile Ajar literary mystification.
  4. BBC Culture — https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180619-romain-gary-the-greatest-literary-bad-boy-of-all
    Supports: Background on his literary persona, diplomatic career, major works, and death.