Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893), French author of the naturalistic school who is generally considered to be  the greatest French short story writer.

He is famous for his short stories, which paint a fascinating picture of French life in the 19th century.  Many of them are set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s and several describe the futility of war and the innocent civilians who, caught in the conflict, emerge changed.  Maupassant's stories are characterized by their economy of style and efficient, effortless dénouement.