Vladimir Jankélévitch was born on 31 August 1903 in Bourges, Cher, France. He was married to Lucienne Lanusse. He died on 10 April 1985 in Paris, Île-de-France, France.
French philosopher, musicologist and university professor, he is the son of Samuel Jankélévitch, doctor and first translator in French of Sigmund Freud. he is the brother in law of author Jean Cassou.