About
Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux, born in Paris in 1636, is a major figure of French classicism. After studying theology and law, he devoted himself to letters. His Satires (from 1660) and his Epistles earned him the favor of Louis XIV. In 1674, he published The Art of Poetry, which codified the principles of classical poetry, and The Lectern, a mock-heroic poem. Appointed royal historiographer with Racine in 1677, he entered the French Academy in 1684. A defender of the Ancients in the quarrel against the Moderns, he profoundly influenced literary criticism in France and England.
* 1636-11-01 — † 1711-03-13
Major works
- Satires (1660)collection of satirical poems
- Épîtres (1669)collection of poems
- L'Art poétique (1674)didactic poem
- Le Lutrin (1674)mock-heroic poem
- Traité du sublime (1674)translation
Key milestones
- 1677Appointed royal historiographer to King Louis XIV with Racine.
- 1684Elected to the French Academy.
- 1705His satire On Equivocation is suppressed by the Jesuits.
Themes
literary criticismsocial satireclassical aestheticsdefense of the Ancientsreason and good taste
Sources: britannica.com · oxfordreference.com · digitalcollections.nypl.org