Jean de La Fontaine

Date of Birth: July 8, 1621

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: April 13, 1695

Biography

Jean de La Fontaine was a renowned French poet and fabulist, best known for his collection of fables. Born into a bourgeois family in Château-Thierry, Champagne, La Fontaine was initially trained for a career in law, which he pursued only briefly. His passion for literature and poetry led him to Paris, where he became associated with literary circles and influential patrons, including Nicolas Fouquet, the superintendent of finances under Louis XIV. La Fontaine’s fables, which he published in several volumes from 1668 to 1694, are adaptations of Aesop’s Fables and other sources. These works are celebrated for their wit, elegance, and insight into human nature. He was also a member of the French Academy, through which he significantly influenced French literature. La Fontaine’s fables remain a staple of French education and culture to this day.

5 Interesting Facts about Jean de La Fontaine

1. La Fontaine was initially trained for a career in law but later abandoned it to pursue literature.

2. He was closely associated with prominent literary figures such as Molière and Racine.

3. His fables were not just for children; they were sophisticated works aimed at adults, often with moral and political undertones.

4. La Fontaine was elected to the French Academy in 1683, despite initial resistance due to his association with controversial figures.

5. He had a significant influence on later fabulists and writers, including the Russian fabulist Ivan Krylov and the German poet Goethe.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jean de La Fontaine

1. “A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.”

2. “Patience and time do more than strength or passion.”

3. “Beware, so long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance.”

4. “Man is so made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish.”

5. “Everyone believes very easily whatever they fear or desire.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jean de La Fontaine’s highest net worth is not clearly documented, but as a successful poet with influential patrons, he lived a relatively comfortable life, especially in his later years.