Corneille, Pierre
1606-85
French dramatist, born in Rouen. He was commissioned by Cardinal
Richelieu to write conformist plays, but Corneille refused. His first
important plays were 'Medee' and 'Le Cid', which established his
reputation.
Corneille was elected to the Academie Francaise in 1647.
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Biography
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Diderot, Denis
1713-84
French man of letters and philosopher, and chief editor of the Encyclopedie.
He was born in Langres, studied the arts in Paris, and became a prolific writer, publishing novels, plays, satires, essays, and letters. His 'Pensees philosophiques' ( Philosophical Thoughts) was burned by the Parliament of Paris for its anti-Christian ideas, and he was imprisoned for his 'Lettre sur les aveugles' (Essay on Blindness).
After completion of the Encyclopedie - for which he worked for 20 years - he went
for some time to St. Petersburg in Russia. On his return he wrote 'Elements of
Physiology' in which he foreshadowed the doctrine of evolution as later
proposed by Darwin.
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Biography
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Lafayette, Marie
1634-93
French writer, born in Paris, married to Francois Motier, comte de La Fayette.
At first she lived with her husband in his estate but decided later to return to Paris where she formed a literary circle and began to write.
Madame de La Fayette's
first novel was published anonymously, her second under a different name, and her masterpiece
'La Princess de Cleves' again anonymously. Its dignified dialogue and psychological
insights openeda new era in the history of the novel.
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Biography
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Lafontaine, Jean de
1621-95
French poet, born at Chateau-Thierry. He was a friend of Moliere
and Racine and lived mostly in Paris. He is famous for his 'Contes' and a prose
narrative 'Les Amours de Psiche et de Cupidon'.
But Lafontaine is best known
for his many 'Fables' (Tales), which rank among the greatest masterpieces
of French literature.
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Biography