Jean-François Marmontel

Born in Bort-les-Orgues in 1723, Jean-François Marmontel became one of the best-known men of letters in 18th-century France. He built a wide-ranging career as a writer, dramatist, historian, critic, and contributor to the Encyclopédie, gaining attention in Paris and moving in major literary circles.

Marmontel was closely associated with Voltaire and became a member of the Académie française. His work crossed several genres, from plays and tales to literary criticism and history, reflecting the curiosity and confidence of the Enlightenment.

He died in 1799, but he remained influential through works such as his memoirs, which are still valued for their clear, personal picture of French cultural life before the Revolution. For listeners interested in the world of 18th-century ideas, he offers both literary charm and firsthand insight.