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Émile Zola was born on 2 April 1840 in Paris, France. He was a novelist, journalist, and playwright who is considered one of the most important figures in French literature. Zola's work is often associated with Naturalism, a literary movement that emphasizes the importance of scientific observation and realism in literature. His most famous novel is "Germinal", which tells the story of a group of coal miners in 19th-century France.