Passion or Profession: Writer, minister of culture

Period: 1916–

Dadié was born and raised in Ivory Coast, but he received his higher education in Senegal. After graduating, he served in the colonial administration there before returning to Ivory Coast and becoming a strong voice for independence. Once Ivory Coast gained independence, Dadié held several government offices, including minister of culture. However, he is probably best known for his plays and novels. His works used French to express African views, rather than promote colonialism.