[1] He was known for his literary works and his service during World War II as a close aide to Henri Guisan, the Swiss army general.

[2] Born in Montcherand, Barbey studied in Geneva and Lausanne before moving to Paris to pursue a literary career.

He collaborated with La Revue hebdomadaire and befriended notable writers such as Jean Cocteau and François Mauriac.

[3] His first novel, Le Cœur gros (1924), gained critical acclaim and led to further works including La Maladère (1926) and Ambassadeur de France (1934).

[2] During World War II, Barbey served as a lieutenant colonel in the Swiss army and became chief of staff to General Henri Guisan.