Charles Collé

About the Author

Charles Collé (1709-1783) was a prominent French playwright, poet, and literary figure of the Enlightenment era, renowned for his sharp wit and satirical observations of 18th-century Parisian society. Born in Paris, he began his career as a lawyer but soon devoted himself to the theater, collaborating with luminaries like Voltaire and contributing to the Comédie-Française. Collé's works often blended comedy with social commentary, critiquing the excesses of the nobility and the cultural milieu under Louis XV. His posthumously published Journal et Mémoires de Charles Collé sur les hommes de lettres, les ouvrages dramatiques et les événements les plus mémorables du règne de Louis XV (1748-1772), Tome Deuxième, offers an invaluable insider's view of the literary world, dramatic productions, and key historical events of the time, cementing his legacy as a chronicler of France's intellectual golden age.