Which French novelist won the 1915 Nobel Prize in Literature for idealism and sympathy?

Romain Rolland won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1915 for the idealism and sympathy found in his literary work.

Rolland was a French novelist, dramatist, essayist, and pacifist. His best-known novel is Jean-Christophe, a multivolume work about a German musician whose life unfolds across national and cultural boundaries.

The award came during the First World War, when Rolland’s advocacy of peace gave his public role unusual importance. He lived in Switzerland during much of the conflict and wrote essays urging intellectuals to resist nationalist hatred.

The 1915 prize was awarded during wartime, although the Nobel ceremonies were affected by the conflict. Rolland later became associated with figures including Mahatma Gandhi.