Molière

Born between January 13 and January 15 of the year 1622, from a 25yo tapestry-maker, Jean Poguelin (who worked for the King of France from 1631), and a 20yo woman, Marie Cresé, in Paris, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin lost his mother when he was 10. From 1638 to 1640, he studied in the Jesuit college of Clermont, then started a brief lawyer career and pursued his father's work under Louis XIII, especially in Narbonne, until the King's death in 1643, when Jean-Baptiste co-founded L'Illustre Théâtre, installed at the jeu de paume des Métayers (faubourg Saint-Germain, Paris). He chose his nom-de-plume 'Molière' (qv) in 1644 but his company had some financial difficulties due to a lack of success: 'Molière' (qv) was imprisoned twice in 1645 for debts. The troupe moved several times in different parts of France (Lyon, Grenoble, Dijon, Narbonne...) and they became the troupe of the Prince de Conti in 1653 (in Pézenas, Languedoc).In 1654, 'Molière' (qv) presented his first play, "L'Etourdi", in Lyon, then "Le Dépit amoureux" in Béziers in 1656. But the same year the troupe lost its grants from de Conti, who was becoming extremely unfavorable to theater creation. Back to Paris in 1658, under the protection of the King's brother, they played "Nicomède" and "Le Docteur amoureux" at the Vieux-Louvre in front of the King (Louis XIV) and his court. Louis XIV offered 'Molière' (qv) to play at the Petit-Bourbon where his first 2 plays eventually had great success. In 1659, 'Molière' (qv) presented his third play, "Les Précieuses Ridicules". After his younger brother's death, 'Molière' (qv) re-took in charge the familial tapestry-making business and kept it until his death. The same year, he presented "Sganarelle ou le Cocu imaginaire" and the troupe was moved to the Palais-Royal. Rival comedians tried to divide 'Molière' (qv)'s troupe but failed. 'Molière' (qv) successively presented "L'Ecole des maris" in 1661 and "L'Ecole des femmes" in 1662.He married Armande Béjart in 1662 (the year 'Molière' (qv) and his troupe were accepted at the King's court), they had a son Louis in 1664 (Louis XIV was his godfather) but the latter died before his first birthday. The same year, members of the Compagnie du Saint-Sacrement tried to ban 'Molière' (qv)'s play "Le Tartuffe" but it was shown in May. 'Molière' (qv)'s troupe also presented 'Jean Racine' (qv)'s first play "La Thebaïde" then "Alexandre" the following year, but the troupe learnt that Racine made his play been performed elsewhere too, which brought a tension between the two authors. Armande gave birth to their daughter Esprit-Madeleine in 1665. 'Molière' (qv) premiered "Dom Juan" in 1665, "Le Misanthrope" and "Le Médecin malgré lui" in 1666. In 1667 the troupe plaid 'Pierre Corneille' (qv)'s "Attila" and 'Molière' (qv)'s "L'Imposteur", which was only presented once because immediately banned. 'Molière' (qv) had his first health problems. The troupe presented "Amphitryon", "George Dandin" and "L'Avare" in 1668, "Tartuffe" again in 1669 (the year 'Molière' (qv)'s father died), "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme" in 1670, "Les Fourberies de Scapin" and "Psyché" in 1671, "Les Femmes savantes" in 1672.'Molière' (qv) had a quarrel with 'Jean-Baptiste Lully' (qv) in 1672 over the right of using music in plays since Lully ruled the music utilization with his "académie royale de musique". 'Molière' (qv)'s second son, Pierre-Jean-Baptiste-Armand, was born the same year but died a few days after his baptism. In February 1673, during the 4th performance of his last play, "Le Malade Imaginaire", 'Molière' (qv) fell and died a few hours later in his house (rue de Richelieu, Paris). His wife obtained from the King the right to bury his corpse in a cemetery, which was normally unauthorized for a comedian. Her daughter was his only child to live long enough to have children but didn't, therefore 'Molière' (qv) had no direct descendants.::Raph JULLIEN