Elie Wiesel

Description: ( Author, Holocaust Survivor, Political Activist and Winner of 1986 Nobel Peace Prize)

Elie Wiesel was a Jewish Romanian-American writer, professor and the author of the bestselling book ‘Night’ as well as many other books dealing with Judaism, the Holocaust, and the moral responsibility of the people to fight hatred, racism and genocide. Born in Romania, he along with his family was sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland in 1944 during the Holocaust. A teenager at that time, he became an eye witness to the atrocities meted out to Jews in the concentration camps where he lost both his parents. Along with the other prisoners of the camps, he was liberated following the ending of the World War II, but the memories of the war would haunt him forever. He then moved to France where he studied literature, philosophy and psychology at the Sorbonne and became a journalist. For years he refused to write about or discuss his experiences during the Holocaust but reconsidered his decision on the advice of the Catholic writer Francois Mauriac who encouraged him to write about his traumatic experiences. Wiesel thus wrote the memoir ‘Night’ which became a grim testimonial of the Holocaust. Eventually his career took him to the United States where he settled down for life. In his later life, he emerged as a political activist and humanitarian and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 for voicing his concern about the “global crisis of humanity”.

Overview

Birthday September 30, 1928 (Libra)
Born In Romania
Alternative names Eliezer Wiesel
Height 168 cm
Died on July 2, 2016
Spouse/Ex- Marion Erster Rose (m. 1969–2016; his death)
Parents Shlomo Wiesel
Sarah Feig
Children Shlomo Elisha Wiesel
Relatives Beatrice Wiesel, Hilda Wiesel, Tzipora Wiesel

Did you know

What is Elie Wiesel known for? Elie Wiesel was a Holocaust survivor, author, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his powerful memoir "Night" detailing his experiences in Nazi concentration camps.
What impact did Elie Wiesel have on society? Elie Wiesel was a prominent activist for human rights and genocide prevention. His work shed light on the atrocities of the Holocaust and inspired many to fight against injustice and intolerance.
How did Elie Wiesel's experiences during the Holocaust influence his writing? Elie Wiesel's harrowing experiences during the Holocaust served as the foundation for his writing, providing a deeply personal and poignant perspective on the horrors of war, loss, and survival.
How did Elie Wiesel use his platform to advocate for human rights? Elie Wiesel used his platform as a renowned author and activist to speak out against injustice, promote reconciliation, and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities worldwide.
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