Bartolomé Bennassar (8 April 1929 – 8 November 2018) was a French historian and writer. He specialized in Spanish and Latin American history.

Career

Bennassar began as a history professor in 1952, and defended his thesis in 1957. He was a Professor Emeritus at the

University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès (french: Université Toulouse-Jean Jaurès, formerly known as ''Université de Toulouse-Le Mirail'', also called Toulouse II) is a French public university located in Toulouse, France. It is one of the 3 success ...

, specializing in contemporary history of Spain and Latin America, as well as the 16th and 17th centuries. He was also a renowned critic of bullfighting.

Contributions to modern Spanish history

Bennassar wrote books titled ''Le Voyage en Espagne'' (The Spanish Inquisition), ''L'Histoire des Espagnols'' (The History of the Spanish), and ''La Guerre d'Espagne et ses lendemains'' (The Spanish Civil War and its Aftermath). He also wrote a very important biography on Francisco Franco. His most famous book, ''Last Leap'', was developed into a film in 1970.

Personal life

His wife, Lucile, signed copies of ''Les Chrétiens d'Allah'' and ''Le Voyage en Espagne'' with him. His son, Jean, committed suicide in 1979 at the age of 22.

Awards

Bennassar was awarded the Grand Cross of the

Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise The Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise ( es, Orden Civil de Alfonso X el Sabio) is a Spanish civil order established in 1939, recognising activities in the fields of education, science, culture, higher education and research. The order was create ...

1987 File:1987 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The MS Herald of Free Enterprise capsizes after leaving the Port of Zeebrugge in Belgium, killing 193; Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashes after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, ...

. He won the Prix-Eugène Colas in 1990. In 1991, he won Prix xviie siècle for ''Les Christians d'Allah''. Bennassar received the

Grand prix Gobert The grand prix Gobert is one of the prizes of the French Academy. It has been awarded every year in the field of History since 1834. It was instituted by the Foundation created by the estate of Baron Gobert Napoleon (1807–1833), son of general ...

in 2005. He also won an

Honorary Degree An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or ''ad hon ...

from the

University of Valladolid The University of Valladolid is a public university located in the city of Valladolid, Valladolid province, autonomous region of Castile and Leon, Spain. Established in the 13th century, it is one of the oldest universities in the world. The u ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bennassar, Bartolomé 1929 births 2018 deaths Historians of Latin America Historians of Spain People from Nîmes Recipients of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise 20th-century French historians 21st-century French historians Academics and writers on the Spanish Inquisition