François Villon

Master poet of the Late Middle Ages, known for his raw, autobiographical verse.

Chronology: 1431 – 1463

Origins & Early Life

François Villon (; Modern French: [fʁɑ̃swa vijɔ̃]; Middle French: [frãːˈswɛ viˈlõː]; c. 1431 – after 1463) is the best known French poet of the Late Middle Ages. He was involved in criminal behavior and had multiple encounters with law enforcement authorities. Villon wrote about some of these experiences in his poems.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

== Biography == === Birth === Villon was born in Paris in 1431. One source gives the date as 19 April, 1432 [O.S. April 1, 1431]. === Early life === Villon's real name may have been François de Montcorbier or François des Loges: both of these names appear in official documents drawn up in Villon's lifetime. In his own work, however, Villon is the only name the poet used, and he mentions it frequently in his work.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His two collections of poems, especially "Le Testament" (also known as "Le grand testament"), have traditionally been read as if they were autobiographical. Other details of his life are known from court or other civil documents. From what the sources tell us, it appears that Villon was born in poverty and raised by a foster father, but that his mother was still living when her son was thirty years old. The surname "Villon," the poet tells us, is the name he adopted...

Source: Wikipedia