Daniel Rondeau (born 7 May 1948) is a French writer, editor, and diplomat. Born in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, he studied law at Panthéon-Assas where the spirit of May 68 saw him embrace Maoism and join the proletariat by working from 1970 to 1974 in a factory in Nancy making insulation. He worked for France Inter's Nord-Est radio station from 1977, before moving to Paris, where he worked for the newspapers Libération (1982–1985) Le Nouvel Observateur (1985–1998) and L'Express (1998–2007). He was French ambassador to Malta (2008–2011) and to UNESCO (2011–2013). He has written fiction, reportage, literary criticism and political commentary, and for his oeuvre won the Grand prix de littérature Paul-Morand in 1998. After unsuccessfully standing for election to the Académie Française in 2011 and 2016, he was elected to seat 8 in 2019. Works Honours French Chevalier of the Legion of Honour Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Chevalier of the Ordre du Mérite Maritime Foreign (honorary) Officer of the National Order of Merit (Malta) Commander of the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanon) References Living people 1948 births French editors 20th-century French male writers 20th-century French essayists 20th-century French journalists 20th-century French non-fiction writers 20th-century French novelists 21st-century French male writers 21st-century French essayists 21st-century French journalists 21st-century French non-fiction writers 21st-century French novelists Boxing writers French travel writers Ambassadors of France to Malta Permanent Delegates of France to UNESCO Members of the Académie Française Chevaliers of the Légion d'honneur Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Recipients of the National Order of Merit (Malta) People from Marne (department) Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas University alumni French Maoists Grand Prix du roman de l'Académie française winners