Jean Dorsenne

Jean Dorsenne or ​‘Dorsennus’ [pen-name of Étienne Troufleau] (1892, Constantine, Algeria — 6 March 1944, Buchenwald concentration camp) was a French reporter and novelist who stayed in Tahiti from 1922 to 1926, traveled around Indochina during the 1930s, published many essays, biographies, history novels, joined the anti-Nazi periodical Libétation during Second World War, was arrested in 1942 by the French collaborationist and sent to Buchenwald in 1943, where he died one year later.

Among his numerous books, Les filles de volupté (1929), Polynésie, Ceinture du monde (1929) and La femme des iles (1927), inspired by his years in French Polynesia, as well as books reflecting his experience in French Indochina: Faudra-t-il évacuer l’Indochine ? (1932) and Sous le soleil des bonzes (1934). His necrology of traveler Jean Galmot (L’Ami du lettré, Les Editions de France, 1928) inspired his famous novel Rhum to writer Blaise Cendrars.