A Survey of African Poetry in the London Times, Sunday Times, Financial Times, the Times Literary Supplement 1865-1985

Jean-Baptiste Tati Loutard was born in 1938 in The Democratic Republic of Congo. He was the author of several French books of poetry including, Poems of The Sea, The Congolese Roots, and The Hidden Face of the Sun. He attended the University of Bordeaux in France where he received his undergraduate degree in modern literature. He went on to become a professor at The Centre for Graduate Studies on his return to Congo. After establishing a successful teaching career, he ventured into politics, serving as Minister of Higher Education, Minister of Arts and Culture, and Minister of Hydrocarbons in the government of Congo-Brazzaville from 1997 to 2009. He was also the founder and president of the Action Movement for Renewal (MAR), a political party. He died in Congo in 2009.