Jorge Semprun (1923-2011) was an author, screenwriter, and engaged political intellectual. He was born in Spain and educated in exile in France, where he joined the Spanish Communist Party in 1942 (he was expelled in 1964). He became a resistant during the Nazi occupation, before being arrested and deported to Buchenwald concentration camp. He served as Spain's minister of culture from 1988-91.

Jorge Semprun died in Paris on 7 June 2011