Jean de La Fontaine

Jean de La Fontaine (c. July 8, 1621 - April 13, 1695), French poet, was born at Château-Thierry in Champagne.

Related Topics:
July 8 - 1621 - April 13 - 1695 - French - Poet - Château-Thierry - Champagne

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His Fables of animals and everyday life are masterworks of French literature and took their inspiration from Aesop, Horace, and ancient Indian literature, such as the Panchatantra:

Related Topics:
Fables - French literature - Aesop - Horace - Indian literature - Panchatantra

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:"This is the second book of fables that I present to the public... I must acknowledge that the greatest part is inspired by Pilpay, the Indian sage." ("Je dirai par reconnaissance que j?en dois la plus grande partie à Pilpay sage indien.") — Jean de La Fontaine, Avertissement to the Second Compilation of Fables (1678).

Related Topics:
Pilpay - 1678

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The first collection of 124 Fables Choisies had appeared March 31, 1668, wisely dedicated to "Monseigneur" the Dauphin, the six-year-old grandson of Louis XIV, and were choice in every sense: utterly correct, balanced, choice in rhyme, natural and easy, droll, witty, knowing, sage, utterly French. They were an immediate success. Until recently, well-educated French people could quote hundreds of lines from La Fontaine. A set of postage stamps celebrating La Fontaine and the Fables was issued by France in 1995.

Related Topics:
March 31 - 1668 - Dauphin - Louis XIV - Postage stamp - 1995

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At intervals through the rest of his life, new editions with more Fables appeared. The last edition came out in 1693. In 1683 he became a member of the Académie française. He died in Paris, and is interred at Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Related Topics:
1693 - 1683 - Académie française - Paris - Père Lachaise

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