About
Charles de Saint-Évremond (1613-1703) was a French writer and soldier. Born in Normandy, he served in the army during the Thirty Years' War and rose to the rank of maréchal de camp. Exiled in 1661 for a satire against Mazarin, he settled in London, where he was welcomed by Charles II. He led a salon life and wrote essays, dialogues, and satirical comedies. His work, published posthumously, influenced Voltaire and the Enlightenment.
* 1613-04-01 — † 1703-09-28
Major works
- La Comédie des académistes (1650)verse comedy
- Conversation du maréchal d'Hocquincourt avec le père Canayesatirical dialogue
- Œuvres meslées (1705)collection of essays and letters
Key milestones
- 1637Distinguished himself at the siege of Landrecies during the Thirty Years' War.
- 1661Exiled from France after a satirical letter against Mazarin was discovered.
- 1703Dies in London and is buried in Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey.
Themes
Erudite libertinismSocial and political satireLiterary criticismMorality and religionExile and identity
Sources: britannica.com · westminster-abbey.org · oxforddnb.com