Catherine Pozzi, born in 1884 in Paris, procured a thorough education for herself and associated with famous scientists and authors of her times. She was diseased with tuberculosis at the age of thirty. In 1920, she met poet Paul Valéry; eight years lasted their heartfelt love and spiritual friendship, about which she left an impressive diary. Other works are the philosophical essay Peau d'Ame (The Soul's Skin) and the story Agnes. In 1934 Catherine Pozzi died after a long illness in Paris.