Molière

Molière (1622–73), French playwright of high comedy and farce, also known for his skills as an actor and director. He was born Jean Baptiste Poquelin. Granted patronage by Louis XIV and given his own theater, Molière wrote satiric plays with controversial themes that often offended religious groups. Among these were The School for Wives (1662), The Imposter (1664), and The Misanthrope (1666).