Molière

15 January 1622 – 17 February 1673

Molière (1622-1673), born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, was a French playwright, actor, and theatre director regarded as one of the greatest writers of comedy in world literature. Works such as Tartuffe, The Misanthrope, and The Imaginary Invalid satirized hypocrisy and pretension, and French is still called 'the language of Molière'.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Molière.

Life events

Born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin in Paris
15 January 1622

Molière was baptized on 15 January 1622 in Paris, the son of Jean Poquelin, a prosperous upholsterer to the royal court.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Educated at the Collège de Clermont
c. 1633

Molière studied at the prestigious Jesuit Collège de Clermont in Paris, receiving a solid classical education.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Founded the Illustre Théâtre with Madeleine Béjart
June 1643

In June 1643 Molière abandoned his father's trade to co-found the Illustre Théâtre with the actress Madeleine Béjart; the company went bankrupt within two years.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Toured the French provinces with his theatre troupe
1645 – 1658

After the failure of the Illustre Théâtre, Molière spent about thirteen years touring provincial France, honing his craft as actor, director, and playwright.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Performed before Louis XIV and won royal favour
October 1658

In October 1658 Molière's troupe performed before the young Louis XIV at the Louvre, earning the patronage of the king's brother and a Paris theatre.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Armande Béjart
February 1662

Molière married the much younger actress Armande Béjart in February 1662.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Premiered Tartuffe, which was promptly banned
May 1664

Tartuffe, Molière's satire of religious hypocrisy, was first performed at Versailles in May 1664 and was suppressed under pressure from devout factions until 1669.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Premiered The Misanthrope
June 1666

Molière's comedy of manners The Misanthrope premiered in June 1666 at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris and is now considered among his finest works.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died after collapsing during The Imaginary Invalid
17 February 1673

On 17 February 1673 Molière, suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, collapsed on stage while performing in his play The Imaginary Invalid and died hours later in Paris.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓