Jean Chapelain was a French poet and critic during the Grand Siècle, best known for his role as an organizer and founding member of the Académie française. Chapelain acquired considerable prestige as a literary critic, but his own major work, an epic poem about Joan of Arc called "La Pucelle," was lampooned by his contemporary Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux.
| Born: | Dec 4, 1595, Paris, France |
| Died: | Feb 22, 1674, Paris, France |
| Occupation: | Critic, Poet |
| Nationality: | French |
| Period: | Grand Siècle |
| Literary movement: | Neoclassicism |
| Notable works: | "Sentiments de l'Académie sur le Cid", "La Pucelle" |
About Jean Chapelain
French poet and literary critic whose best known work is "La Pucelle," a 1656 epic poem about Joan of Arc. He is also known for an academic work entitled "Sentiments de l’Academie sur le Cid."
Before Fame
He studied French literature and also learned Japanese and Spanish in preparation for work as a tutor.
Achievement
He was one of the founding members of the Academie Francaise.
Family Life
His father wanted him to pursue the practical career of a notary, but his mother supported his literary interests.
Associations
He and Alfred de Musset were both French poets.
Information related to Jean Chapelain
- Guirlande de Julie - The Guirlande de Julie is a unique French manuscript of sixty-two madrigaux.
- 17th-century French writers
- French poets
- Members of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres
- Members of the Académie française
