Origins & Early Life

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux (French: [nikɔla bwalo depʁeo]; 1 November 1636 – 13 March 1711), often known simply as Boileau (UK: , US: ), was a French poet and critic. He did much to reform the prevailing form of French poetry, in the same way that Blaise Pascal did to reform the prose. He was greatly influenced by Horace. Boileau was the fifteenth child of Gilles Boileau, a clerk in the Parlement of Paris.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Two of his brothers attained some distinction: Gilles Boileau, the author of a translation of Epictetus; and Jacques Boileau, who became a canon of the Sainte-Chapelle, and made valuable contributions to church history. The surname "Despréaux" was derived from a small property at Crosne near Villeneuve-Saint-Georges. His mother died when he was two years old; and Nicolas Boileau, who had a delicate constitution, seems to have suffered something from want of care. Sainte-Beuve puts down his somewhat hard and unsympathetic outlook quite as much to the uninspiring circumstances of these days as to the general character of his time. He cannot be said to have been early disenchanted, for he never seems to have had any illusions; he grew up with a single passion...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Louise Boursier — Contemporary (Died in 1636) (1636): Pioneering French midwife and medical writer, author of foundational texts on obstetrics.
• David Hume — Contemporary (Born in 1711) (1711): Scottish philosopher renowned for empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism.
• Kitty Clive — Contemporary (Born in 1711) (1711): Pioneering English actress and star comedienne of the 18th-century British stage.
• Laura Bassi — Contemporary (Born in 1711) (1711): Pioneering Italian physicist, first woman with a science doctorate.
• Alfred Jarry — Shared historical date (11-01 · Died) (1907): Pioneering French symbolist writer, known for Ubu Roi and coining 'pataphysics'
• Alfred Wegener — Shared historical date (11-01 · Born) (1880): Pioneering geophysicist known for proposing the theory of continental drift.
• Adam Clayton — Shared historical date (03-13 · Born) (1960): Irish-English bassist and founding member of the globally renowned rock band U2.
• Belisarius — Shared historical date (03-13 · Died) (565): Great Byzantine general instrumental in the reconquest of the Western Roman Empire.
• 1636 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1636
• November 1 (11-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 1
• 1711 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1711
• March 13 (03-13) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 13