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Article: Molière (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin; 1622–1673)
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
- Author:
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MOLI
è
RE (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin; 1622
–
1673)
MOLI
è
RE
(Jean-Baptiste Poquelin; 1622
–
1673), French playwright, actor, and troupe director. Born into a successful merchant family, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin received an education from the Jesuits and was studying law when, at the age of twenty-one, he renounced his career to join a troupe of itinerant actors. In 1643 he signed a contract with the actress Madeleine B
é
jart and other members of her family to establish a troupe which they called the "Illustrious Theater," but they were soon unable to pay their bills and Poquelin, who had assumed the stage name Moli
è
re, was jailed for debt in 1645. Once released, ...