# Jean de La Bruyère

> 17th-century French writer and philosopher (1645–1696)

**Wikidata**: [Q314975](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314975)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_La_Bruyère)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jean-de-la-bruyere

## Summary
Jean de La Bruyère was a 17th-century French writer, philosopher, and moralist who lived from 1645 to 1696. He is best known for his 1688 work, *The Characters of Theophrastus, translated from Greek, with the Characters or the Manners of This Century*, which blends translation with original moralist essays. A member of the Académie Française, he also practiced as a lawyer, translator, and aphorist while serving the French nobility.

## Biography
- **Born:** August 16, 1645
- **Nationality:** French
- **Education:** University of Orléans
- **Known for:** Authoring *The Characters of Theophrastus* and defining the French moralist literary style.
- **Employer(s):** Henri Jules, Prince of Condé
- **Field(s):** Literature, Philosophy, Law

## Contributions
Jean de La Bruyère's primary contribution to literature is the 1688 publication of *The Characters of Theophrastus, translated from Greek, with the Characters or the Manners of This Century*. This work is significant for its structure, which combines a translation of Theophrastus’ *Characters* with La Bruyère's own original essays. As a French moralist, he used this platform to critique the manners and behaviors of his century. Additionally, he contributed to the intellectual life of France as a member of the Académie Française, the pre-eminent council for the French language.

## FAQs
**What is Jean de La Bruyère’s most famous work?**
His most famous work is *The Characters of Theophrastus, translated from Greek, with the Characters or the Manners of This Century*, published in 1688, which merges translation with original moralist observations.

**What professions did Jean de La Bruyère hold?**
He was a writer, philosopher, essayist, translator, aphorist, and lawyer.

**Was Jean de La Bruyère associated with any specific organizations?**
Yes, he was a member of the Académie Française, the pre-eminent council for the French language established in 1635.

**Who employed Jean de La Bruyère?**
He was affiliated with Henri Jules, Prince of Condé, serving him in a professional capacity.

**Where did Jean de La Bruyère receive his education?**
He studied at the University of Orléans.

## Why They Matter
Jean de La Bruyère matters as a central figure in the tradition of French moralism, a genre that uses observation and critique to explore human nature and society. His work provided a detailed portrait of 17th-century French society, influencing how character and manners were depicted in literature. His membership in the Académie Française highlights his recognized role in shaping and preserving the French language. By bridging classical Greek thought (Theophrastus) with contemporary French society, he created a timeless study of human behavior that remains relevant.

## Notable For
- Publishing *The Characters of Theophrastus, translated from Greek, with the Characters or the Manners of This Century* in 1688.
- Membership in the Académie Française.
- Occupations spanning writer, philosopher, essayist, translator, aphorist, and lawyer.
- Affiliation with Henri Jules, Prince of Condé.
- Education at the University of Orléans.
- Classification as a "French moralist."

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Jean de La Bruyère was born on August 16, 1645. He pursued higher education at the University of Orléans, an institution located in France. His educational background provided a foundation for his diverse professional career, which would eventually span law, literature, and philosophy.

### Professional Career and Occupations
La Bruyère led a multifaceted professional life. He was trained and practiced as a lawyer, a profession classified under the legal occupation group. Beyond the legal field, he was a writer and philosopher, specifically recognized as a French moralist. His work also encompassed the roles of an essayist, a translator, and an aphorist. In his capacity as a writer, he was employed by Henri Jules, Prince of Condé (1643–1709), a notable figure of the French nobility.

### Literary Works and Publications
The defining work of La Bruyère's career is *The Characters of Theophrastus, translated from Greek, with the Characters or the Manners of This Century*, published in 1688. This book is a French moralist work that innovatively combines a translation of the ancient Greek characters written by Theophrastus with La Bruyère's own original essays. The text serves as a critique of the manners and social behaviors of the 17th century.

### Affiliations and Memberships
La Bruyère was an active member of the French intellectual elite. He held a seat at the Académie Française, the pre-eminent council for the French language, which was founded in 1635. His citizenship was French, placing him within the context of Western Europe's major cultural and political power during the reign of Louis XIV.

### Personal Identity and Classification
Jean de La Bruyère is classified within the knowledge graph as a human (*Homo sapiens*) and is identified by various aliases including "Jean de La Bruyere" and "Bruyère." His life spanned from 1645 until his death on May 10 or 11, 1696. His legacy is maintained through numerous bibliographic and authority control identifiers across international library systems.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Library of the World's Best Literature
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. CiNii Research
7. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
8. Roglo
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=La%20Bruyère%20Jean%20de)
12. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index10.html)
13. CONOR.SI
14. Shakeosphere
15. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
16. LIBRIS. 2012
17. Treccani Philosophy