Molière was born on 15 January 1622 in Paris. A French playwright and actor, Molière, whose real name was Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, trained in law but chose the stage instead, touring the provinces with his company for about twelve years before returning to Paris. Under the patronage of Louis XIV, he wrote and starred in comedies such as Tartuffe, The Misanthrope, The Miser and The Imaginary Invalid, which satirised hypocrisy, pretension and the medical profession. Some of his works provoked scandal and were banned for a time. He collapsed while playing the lead in The Imaginary Invalid and died a few hours later. He is regarded as one of the greatest masters of comedy.
Before and after
- from 17 September 1620 to 7 October 1620Battle of Cecora
- November 1620The Mayflower lands the Pilgrims
- from 2 September 1621 to 9 October 1621Battle of Khotyn
- 1622Publication of Othello
- 15 January 1622Birth of Molière
- 1623Publication of Macbeth
- 1623Publication of Twelfth Night
- 1623Founding of Barbados
- 1623Founding of Weymouth
More in Art, literature & culture
- 1602Publication of Hamlet
- 1652Origins of Quakers
- c. 1653The Taj Mahal is completed
- 1661Construction of Palace of Versailles
- from c. 1730s to 1780sRise of Rococo
- 1759Construction of British Museum
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 17th century.