In 1927, Saint-Exupéry was placed in charge of an airfield in the Sahara. The remainder of Saint-Exupéry’s life would be defined by the intertwining of his dual occupations as aviator and author, with the former providing the inspiration for his literary work. He published his first work, “The Aviator,” in 1926, the same year that he returned to flying as a mail pilot with the aviation company Aéropostale in Toulouse, covering routes between France, Spain and North Africa. While working various jobs, Saint-Exupéry began to write stories inspired by his experiences as a pilot. However, when their relationship failed shortly thereafter, Saint-Exupéry returned to his first love, flying, and developed a new passion as well-writing. His engagement to a young woman resulted in Saint-Exupéry leaving the air force in 1922. Saint-Exupéry became a pilot in the air force the following year, based in North Africa. Initially working as a mechanic in the army, he learned how to fly.

Beginning of Aviation and Writing Careersĭespite his disappointing rejection from the naval academy, in 1921, Saint-Exupéry was given the opportunity to realize his dreams of flying during his compulsory service in the military.

However, a historically poor student, Saint-Exupéry failed the examination and studied architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts instead. He returned to France in 1917, and briefly attended a college prep school in Paris before attempting to enter the naval academy. Receiving his early education at Catholic schools in France, Saint-Exupéry was sent away to a boarding school in Switzerland after the outbreak of World War I. Saint-Exupéry enjoyed a mostly carefree and privileged life, and in 1912, he took his first trip in an airplane-an experience that would have a profound and lasting impression on him. His father died when he was a young boy, and his mother moved him and his four siblings to a relative’s château in the east. Early LifeĪntoine de Saint-Exupéry was born into an aristocratic family in Lyon, France, on June 29, 1900. His adventures as a pilot would supply the inspiration for all of his literary endeavors, which culminated with the 1943 publication of the classic The Little Prince. He received his pilot’s wings during his compulsory military service in 1922, around which time he also began to write. Raised in an aristocratic family, he fell in love with aviation at an early age after took his first airplane ride at the age of 12. (1900-1944) Who Was Antoine de Saint-Exupéry?Īntoine de Saint-Exupéry was a French writer, aviator, poet and author.

Saint exupéry the little prince