Elie Wiesel

Born September 30, 1928, Sighet, Romania—died July 2, 2016

Elie Wiesel and his family were deported to Nazi concentration and extermination camps during the Holocaust. In 1945 he was liberated from Buchenwald by the Allied troops. Wiesel became a reporter and author. His book, Night, as well as many of his nearly 40 other books, were based on his memories and time in the concentration camps. 

Wiesel became an advocate for the Jewish people as well as other oppressed people who suffered persecution and death due to religion, race, or national origin. In 1986 Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for being a messenger to mankind: his message is one of peace, atonement, and dignity.