Jean-Louis Fournier is a French writer, born on 19 December 1938 in Calais, France. He is best known for his humorous and touching literary style, which he employs to explore profound themes with levity and sincerity.

Fournier became well-known as a collaborator with Pierre Desproges, working on 'La Minute nécessaire de Monsieur Cyclopède' and directing theatrical recordings at Théâtre Grévin and Théâtre Fontaine in the 1980s. His work combines humor with cultural commentary and personal insight.

He gained significant recognition as an author with his humorous essays, such as 'Arithmétique appliquée et impertinente' (1993), where he playfully teaches readers to calculate the weight of a fool's brain or the amount of caviar a person can eat.

In 2008, Fournier received the prestigious Prix Femina for his poignant book Où on va, papa?, which further cemented his reputation as an author capable of blending humor with heart-wrenching reality.

Fournier's prolific body of work continues to engage and entertain a broad audience, showcasing his unique ability to intertwine humor, culture, and authenticity.