Jean De la Fontaine

Poet

Birthday July 8, 1621

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace France

DEATH DATE Apr 13, 1695 (73)

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About

Seventeenth-century French poet and fabulist who is best known for his Contes and Fables. He also published a 1669 novel entitled Les amours de Psyche et de Cupidon.

Before Fame

He studied religion and law before finding his true vocation as a writer.

Trivia

His life story was told in a 2007 French film -- Jean de La Fontaine - le defi -- that starred Lorant Deutsch.

Family Life

He had an arranged marriage with Marie Hericart. He and Hericart had one son, but lived apart for most of their lives.

Associated With

He was, according to the author Flaubert, the only French writer before Victor Hugo to fully master the poetic use of the French language.

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