Molière

Born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin in Paris and known by the stage name Molière, he became one of the defining writers of 17th-century French literature. He was not only a playwright, but also an actor, theater director, and poet, and he built his reputation through years of performing with his own troupe.

His comedies are famous for their wit, lively dialogue, and clear-eyed view of human behavior. Again and again, he targeted affectation, greed, religious hypocrisy, and self-importance, creating plays that entertained audiences while also provoking debate.

Molière died in 1673, shortly after performing in The Imaginary Invalid. More than three centuries later, his plays still hold the stage around the world, and his name remains closely tied to the height of classical French comedy.