Marivaux

Pierre de Marivaux was born in Paris, the son of a royal mint military official. He spent his childhood in the provinces and returned to the capital at 22. He studied law, but he spent his time writing. He became the most important French playwright of the 18th Century, writing numerous comedies. He wrote these plays for two groups called "La Comédie Française" and "La Comédie Italienne de Paris." His most famous plays include "The Games of Love and Chance" and "Les Fausses Confidences." He also published a number of essays. He was critised in his time for his style of writing. He married in 1717, and had a daughter in 1719. His wife died soon afterwards in 1723. He died in 1763 leaving two unfinished novels. He was so important, he even has a word named after him, marivaudage, which describes a characteristic flitatious tone which Marivaux likes to use.