René Goscinny

Born in France on 14 August 1926 to a Jewish family from Poland, Goscinny spent his childhood in Argentina attending French schools, then moved briefly to the United States where he met Belgian cartoonist Morris. After returning to France, the two collaborated for more than twenty years on Lucky Luke, a run later called the series' golden age. In 1959 he and illustrator Albert Uderzo launched Asterix, the indomitable Gaul whose adventures became a publishing phenomenon. He also wrote Iznogoud with Jean Tabary and created the Le Petit Nicolas children's books with Jean-Jacques Sempé. Goscinny died on 5 November 1977, leaving behind characters who outlived him by decades.