Blinded at the age of 7, at 17 Lusseyran became a leader in the French resistance against Nazi Germany's occupation of France in 1941.

[1][2] He soon learned to adapt to being blind and maintained many close friendships, particularly with one boy named Jean Besniée.

[citation needed][7] On July 20, 1943, Lusseyran was arrested by the Gestapo, betrayed by a member of his resistance group named Elio.

Lusseyran helped to motivate a spirit of resistance within the camp, particularly within the French and German prisoners.

[8] After the war, Lusseyran taught French literature in the United States and wrote books, including the autobiographical And There Was Light, which chronicles the first 20 years of his life.