Joseph Bédier (1864-1938) was a French writer, scholar, and historian who specialized in studies of medieval France. Throughout his career, Bédier produced several invaluable contributions to the study of the medieval period, including the inspiration for modern theories of certain aspects of medieval culture. Though his focus was on medieval culture, Bédier is also celebrated for his work in preserving primary sources during World War ¿, exposing the sadistic crimes of German soldiers via the collection of diary entries. Bédier's literary acclaim was earned through his novel The Romance of Tristian and Iseult, which is considered one of the best retellings of the legend.