Marguerite Yourcenar, born Marguerite Antoinette Jeanne Marie Ghislaine Cleenewerck de Crayencour, was a Belgian-born French novelist, essayist, and was later naturalized as an American citizen in 1947. She emerged as an iconic literary figure, notably for being the first woman elected to the Académie Française in 1980. Her literary prowess earned her prestigious accolades such as the Prix Femina and the Erasmus Prize, alongside a nomination for the 1965 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Her literary canvas was vast, encompassing roles as a novelist, short-story writer, poet, dramatist, and translator. Yourcenar's works, characterized by their classical style, erudition, and psychological depth, meditate on themes of human destiny, morality, and power. Her narrative mastery is particularly evident in historical novels, with Memoires d'Hadrien standing out as a monumental work. This historical novel, celebrated for its poetic tone and scholarly traits, offers a fictionalized memoir of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, showcasing Yourcenar's unique blend of historical accuracy and literary imagination.

Yourcenar's writings not only span across genres but also reflect a profound engagement with philosophical and cultural inquiries, drawing inspiration from Eastern wisdom and Greco-Latin philosophy. This intellectual curiosity, coupled with a commitment to aesthetic refinement and narrative elegance, positions her as a versatile and impactful voice in literature.