Jean Chapelain [SEP] native language
Jean Chapelain
Jean Chapelain (4 December 1595 – 22 February 1674) 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," (1656) was lampooned by his contemporary Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux.
Background.
Chapelain was born in Paris. His father wanted him to become a notary
and Henri-Louis), Paul-Philippe succeeded his father as king's librarian, having joined the royal library as king's reader. Although he had not yet written any works himself he was elected a member of the Académie française in 1654. Becoming bishop of Dax in 1671, he resigned this post in 1684 so he would be freer to devote himself to studies, although continuing to preach. Jean Chapelain said of him that "he had nothing lacking in his spirit, and had a great grasp of language and