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Romain Gary

What is romain gary?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Birth name Roman Leibovich Kacew[1]
Birth date 21 May 1914[1]
Birth place Vilnius[1]
Death date 2 December 1980[1]
Death place Paris, France[2]
Pen name Émile Ajar[1]

Romain Gary was a Lithuanian-born French novelist, diplomat, film director, and military aviator, best known as the only author to win the Prix Goncourt twice, once under the pen name Émile Ajar.

Context

Romain Gary, born Roman Kacew in Vilnius, was a Lithuanian-born French novelist, diplomat, film director, and military aviator [1]. He is noted as the only author to have won the Prix Goncourt twice, once under the pen name Émile Ajar [1]. His first novel, *L'Éducation européenne*, won immediate acclaim [2]. He also served as a diplomat and military aviator [1].

Documented claims

  • Romain Gary was a French novelist, diplomat, and military aviator. [1]
  • He is the only author to have won the Prix Goncourt twice. [1]
  • He wrote under multiple literary personae, including Émile Ajar. [1]

Questions and answers

What was Romain Gary's real name?

His real name was Roman Leibovich Kacew [1].

Was Romain Gary a diplomat?

Yes, he was a diplomat and also a military aviator [1].

What is Romain Gary famous for?

He is famous for being the only author to win the Prix Goncourt twice, once under the pen name Émile Ajar [1].

Sources

  1. Romain Gary | Novelist, Diplomat, Pilot | Britannica — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Romain Gary : podcasts et actualités | Radio France — radiofrance.fr (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in People