Jean de La Fontaine: Biography, Achievements & Lasting Legacy
Who Was Jean de La Fontaine?
Jean de La Fontaine (UK: , US: ; French: [ʒɑ̃ d(ə) la fɔ̃tɛn]; 8 July 1621 – 13 April 1695) was a French fabulist and one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century. He is known above all for his Fables, which provided a model for subsequent fabulists across Europe and numerous alternative versions in France, as well as in French regional languages.
After a long period of royal suspicion, he was admitted to the Académie Française and his reputation in France has never faded since. Evidence of this is found in the many pictures and statues of the writer, later depictions on medals, coins and postage stamps.
Key Facts
- Born: September 8, 1621 in Château-Thierry, Champagne, France
- Died: 1695
- Field: Literature
Legacy and Impact
The influence of Jean de La Fontaine extends far beyond his own lifetime. He fundamentally shaped literature and the written word, and his written works and literary innovations remain foundational to this day.
Though he passed away in 1695, his ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
Jean de La Fontaine remains one of the most celebrated minds to emerge from France, a testament to the rich intellectual heritage of the region.
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