Isaac Babel was a Russian writer, journalist and playwright who was active during the early 20th century. He was born in 1894 in Odessa, Ukraine and was raised in a Jewish family. Babel is known for his short stories, which often depicted the violence and chaos of the October Revolution and the subsequent Soviet regime. He was associated with the literary movement known as the Odessa School, which was known for its use of humor and satire.

Babel’s most influential works include “Red Cavalry,” a collection of short stories that was published in 1926, and “The Odessa Tales,” which was published in 1931. Both works are known for their vivid depictions of life in the Soviet Union and the brutality of war. Babel was also a journalist and wrote for several newspapers and magazines during his career. He was arrested by the Soviet secret police in 1939 and was executed in 1940.

Despite his relatively short career, Babel is considered one of the most important writers of the 20th century. His work has been translated into many languages and has influenced generations of writers around the world.