Molière
(1622–1673)> PLAYWRIGHT
Molière (January 1622, Paris; 10 February 1673, Paris), playwright, was baptized Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. He assumed the stage name of Molière after joining the Illustre Théâtre group in 1642 because he wished to spare his family the embarrassment of having a son in the theatre. This first venture on the boards was a financial failure, and Molière was thrown into debtors’ prison after the troupe could not pay their bill for candles. Restored to liberty eventually, Molière toured the provinces as…