Writer and Folk Figure. He was born in Ardèche (France) and died in Madrid (Spain). He is best known as the author of Papillon, that details his numerous escapes from his imprisonment in 1932 to his escape to Venezuela. His nickname is Papillon (Butterfly in french language), from a butterfly tattoo in his chest). He was finally freed in 1945. His life is powerfully reflected in the Franklin J. Schaffner’s film Papillon (1973), played by Steve McQueen. (bio by: José L Bernabé Tronchoni)