Marin Preda was a renowned Romanian novelist, post-war writer, and director of the Cartea Românească publishing house. He is often regarded as one of the most important novelists in post-World War II Romanian literature. Born on 5 August 1922 in Siliștea Gumești, Teleorman County, Kingdom of Romania, Preda pursued his education in his hometown and later in Abrud, Cristur-Odorhei, and Bucharest. His literary career began with his short story "Pârlitu" in 1942, gaining recognition at the Sburătorul literary club.

Preda's first novella, "Calul" ("The Horse"), written in 1943, was included in his debut volume "Întâlnirea din pământuri" ("The Meeting in the Lands") in 1948. His experience during his military service between 1943 and 1945 inspired several of his works. In 1956, his novel "Moromeții" ("The Moromete Family") won the State Literary Prize, examining the impact of collectivization on rural communities.

Marin Preda held significant positions, including vice-president of the Writers' Union of Romania and director of Cartea Românească publishing house. In 1974, he was inducted into the Romanian Academy. His personal life saw marriages to Aurora Cornu and later to Eta Vexler and Elena, with whom he had two sons, Nicolae and Alexandru.

His final novel, "Cel mai iubit dintre pământeni" ("The Most Beloved of Earthlings"), published in 1980, critiqued early communism in Romania. Despite its initial success, it was swiftly censored. Tragically, on 16 May 1980, Marin Preda died under mysterious circumstances, sparking speculations about his death being orchestrated by the Securitate. He is interred at Bellu Cemetery in Bucharest.