(Isaac or Isaac Emmanuilovich Babel; Odessa, Russia, 1894 - Moscow, 1940) Soviet writer. Of Jewish origin, he belonged to the generation of writers who emerged from the October Revolution. His stories, of great literary mastery, drink from French literature, especially naturalism; the first were published under Gorky's supervision, although they soon ceased to appear in his newspaper due to their erotic and aggressive tone. He participated in the civil war and in the campaign of Poland, experiences on which Red Cavalry is based (1926), where he gives part of the two factions of the Revolution, for which he received some criticism. In the Tales of Odessa (1931), his most recognized work, he follows the autobiographical line and portrays the life of the Jewish provincial bourgeoisie in pre-revolutionary Russia, an environment that he also recreated in theatrical pieces. With the consolidation of power Stalin was arrested and shot by the Stalinist regime, contrary to the romantic individualism of the early days of the Revolution.