Anatole France , born FranÃ ois-Anatole Thibault ( 16 April 1844 , Paris - 12 October 1924 , Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire ) , was a French poet , critic , and novelist . Anatole France ( 16 April 1844 -- 12 October 1924 ) , born FranÃ ois-Anatole Thibault , was a French poet , journalist , and novelist . He was born in Paris , and died in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire .