# Jean Racine

> French dramatist (1639-1699)

**Wikidata**: [Q742](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Racine)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jean-racine

## Summary

Jean Racine was born on December 21, 1639, in La Ferté-Milon and died on April 21, 1699, in Paris, holding citizenship in the Kingdom of France [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][2][15][16][17][18][3][3]. His father was Jean Racine and his mother was Jeanne Sconin [19][19]. He worked as a playwright, poet, translator, librettist, historian, and writer [15][2][20].He had three children: Jean-Baptiste Racine, Louis Racine, and Marie Catherine Racine [19]. He held seat 13 of the Académie française from 1672 until his death in 1699 [21] and was a member of both the Académie Française and the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres [21][22].Jean Racine was buried at Saint-Étienne-du-Mont [23].

## Summary
Jean Racine was a French dramatist (1639–1699) best known for his contributions to classical tragedy, particularly his plays *Andromaque*, *Phèdre*, and *Bajazet*. He was a prominent figure in 17th-century French literature, shaping the development of the French language and theater.

## Biography
- Born: December 21, 1639, La Ferté-Milon, France
- Nationality: French
- Education: Studied at the Collège de Navarre and the Collège de Louis-le-Grand
- Known for: Writing classical tragedies that influenced French theater and literature
- Employer(s): Académie Française, Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres
- Field(s): Literature, drama, theater

## Contributions
Jean Racine wrote several influential tragedies, including:
- *Andromaque* (1667): A tragedy based on the myth of Andromache, exploring themes of vengeance and fate.
- *Phèdre* (1677): A tragedy about the tragic love between Phèdre and her stepson Hippolytus, set against the backdrop of Thebes.
- *Bajazet* (1672): A tragedy about the Ottoman Sultan Bajazet II, exploring themes of power and tyranny.
- *La Thébaïde* (1664): A tragedy about the life of Alexander the Great, set in the context of the Battle of Issus.
- *Alexandre le Grand* (1665): A tragedy about the life of Alexander the Great, focusing on his early years and rise to power.
- *Les Plaideurs* (1668): A comedy about a dispute between two lawyers, exploring themes of justice and morality.
- *Britannicus* (1669): A tragedy about the Roman emperor Caligula and his son Britannicus, exploring themes of tyranny and rebellion.
- *Bérénice* (1670): A tragedy about the queen Bérénice, exploring themes of love and betrayal.
- *Mithridate* (1673): A tragedy about the Roman general Mithridates, exploring themes of power and tyranny.
- *Iphigénie* (1674): A tragedy about the myth of Iphigénie, exploring themes of sacrifice and fate.
- *Esther* (1689): A tragedy about the biblical queen Esther, exploring themes of courage and resistance.

## FAQs
**What are Jean Racine's most famous works?**
Jean Racine's most famous works include *Andromaque* (1667), *Phèdre* (1677), and *Bajazet* (1672), which are considered classics of French literature and theater.

**Where did Jean Racine study?**
Jean Racine studied at the Collège de Navarre and the Collège de Louis-le-Grand in Paris, where he received a classical education.

**What is the significance of Jean Racine's *Phèdre*?**
*Phèdre* is a tragic play that explores themes of love, betrayal, and fate, and is considered one of the greatest works of French literature.

**How did Jean Racine contribute to the development of French theater?**
Jean Racine contributed to the development of French theater by writing classical tragedies that influenced the evolution of French drama and literature.

**What is the legacy of Jean Racine's work?**
Jean Racine's work has had a lasting impact on French literature and theater, and his plays continue to be performed and studied today.

## Why They Matter
Jean Racine's contributions to French literature and theater have had a profound and lasting impact on the development of French drama. His plays, such as *Andromaque*, *Phèdre*, and *Bajazet*, are considered classics of French literature and have influenced generations of writers and performers. Racine's work has shaped the evolution of French drama and literature, and his plays continue to be performed and studied today. His influence on French theater and literature is evident in the works of later playwrights and the enduring popularity of his plays.

## Notable For
- Writing *Andromaque* (1667), a tragedy based on the myth of Andromache, exploring themes of vengeance and fate.
- Writing *Phèdre* (1677), a tragedy about the tragic love between Phèdre and her stepson Hippolytus, set against the backdrop of Thebes.
- Writing *Bajazet* (1672), a tragedy about the Ottoman Sultan Bajazet II, exploring themes of power and tyranny.
- Writing *La Thébaïde* (1664), a tragedy about the life of Alexander the Great, set in the context of the Battle of Issus.
- Writing *Alexandre le Grand* (1665), a tragedy about the life of Alexander the Great, focusing on his early years and rise to power.
- Writing *Les Plaideurs* (1668), a comedy about a dispute between two lawyers, exploring themes of justice and morality.
- Writing *Britannicus* (1669), a tragedy about the Roman emperor Caligula and his son Britannicus, exploring themes of tyranny and rebellion.
- Writing *Bérénice* (1670), a tragedy about the queen Bérénice, exploring themes of love and betrayal.
- Writing *Mithridate* (1673), a tragedy about the Roman general Mithridates, exploring themes of power and tyranny.
- Writing *Iphigénie* (1674), a tragedy about the myth of Iphigénie, exploring themes of sacrifice and fate.
- Writing *Esther* (1689), a tragedy about the biblical queen Esther, exploring themes of courage and resistance.
- Being a member of the Académie Française and the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, which are pre-eminent councils for the French language and humanities.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Jean Racine was born on December 21, 1639, in La Ferté-Milon, France. He received his education at the Collège de Navarre and the Collège de Louis-le-Grand, where he studied philosophy, literature, and the classics. His early education laid the foundation for his later work in literature and drama.

### Literary Career
Jean Racine began his literary career as a playwright, writing numerous tragedies and comedies that reflected his intellectual curiosity and broad range of interests. Some of his notable works include:

- *Andromaque* (1667): A tragedy based on the myth of Andromache, exploring themes of vengeance and fate.
- *Phèdre* (1677): A tragedy about the tragic love between Phèdre and her stepson Hippolytus, set against the backdrop of Thebes.
- *Bajazet* (1672): A tragedy about the Ottoman Sultan Bajazet II, exploring themes of power and tyranny.
- *La Thébaïde* (1664): A tragedy about the life of Alexander the Great, set in the context of the Battle of Issus.
- *Alexandre le Grand* (1665): A tragedy about the life of Alexander the Great, focusing on his early years and rise to power.
- *Les Plaideurs* (1668): A comedy about a dispute between two lawyers, exploring themes of justice and morality.
- *Britannicus* (1669): A tragedy about the Roman emperor Caligula and his son Britannicus, exploring themes of tyranny and rebellion.
- *Bérénice* (1670): A tragedy about the queen Bérénice, exploring themes of love and betrayal.
- *Mithridate* (1673): A tragedy about the Roman general Mithridates, exploring themes of power and tyranny.
- *Iphigénie* (1674): A tragedy about the myth of Iphigénie, exploring themes of sacrifice and fate.
- *Esther* (1689): A tragedy about the biblical queen Esther, exploring themes of courage and resistance.

### Contributions to French Literature and Theater
Jean Racine's contributions to French literature and theater are vast and influential. His plays, such as *Andromaque*, *Phèdre*, and *Bajazet*, are considered classics of French literature and have influenced generations of writers and performers. Racine's work has shaped the evolution of French drama and literature, and his plays continue to be performed and studied today.

### Affiliations and Memberships
Jean Racine was a member of the Académie Française and the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, which are pre-eminent councils for the French language and humanities. These affiliations have had a lasting impact on literature and drama, and they reflect Racine's broad range of interests and intellectual curiosity.

### Legacy and Influence
Jean Racine's contributions to French literature and theater have had a profound and lasting impact on the development of French drama. His plays, such as *Andromaque*, *Phèdre*, and *Bajazet*, are considered classics of French literature and have influenced generations of writers and performers. Racine's work has shaped the evolution of French drama and literature, and his plays continue to be performed and studied today. His influence on French theater and literature is evident in the works of later playwrights and the enduring popularity of his plays.

### Personal Life
Jean Racine was married to Marie-Catherine de Villedieu in 1663 and had three children. He lived in various locations, including Paris, La Ferté-Milon, and Versailles. He died on April 21, 1699, in Paris, France, and was buried in the Panthéon in Paris.

### Digital Presence and Recognition
Jean Racine has numerous identifiers and classification codes, including ISNI, VIAF, and GND. He has a Wikipedia page and a Wikimedia Commons category, and he has a significant number of sitelinks, indicating extensive coverage on Wikipedia.

### Notable Works and Achievements
- *Andromaque* (1667): A tragedy based on the myth of Andromache, exploring themes of vengeance and fate.
- *Phèdre* (1677): A tragedy about the tragic love between Phèdre and her stepson Hippolytus, set against the backdrop of Thebes.
- *Bajazet* (1672): A tragedy about the Ottoman Sultan Bajazet II, exploring themes of power and tyranny.
- *La Thébaïde* (1664): A tragedy about the life of Alexander the Great, set in the context of the Battle of Issus.
- *Alexandre le Grand* (1665): A tragedy about the life of Alexander the Great, focusing on his early years and rise to power.
- *Les Plaideurs* (1668): A comedy about a dispute between two lawyers, exploring themes of justice and morality.
- *Britannicus* (1669): A tragedy about the Roman emperor Caligula and his son Britannicus, exploring themes of tyranny and rebellion.
- *Bérénice* (1670): A tragedy about the queen Bérénice, exploring themes of love and betrayal.
- *Mithridate* (1673): A tragedy about the Roman general Mithridates, exploring themes of power and tyranny.
- *Iphigénie* (1674): A tragedy about the myth of Iphigénie, exploring themes of sacrifice and fate.
- *Esther* (1689): A tragedy about the biblical queen Esther, exploring themes of courage and resistance.
- Awards: Awarded the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts order by King Frederick the Great of Prussia, recognizing his contributions to literature and drama.

### External Identifiers and Classification Codes
- ISNI: 0000 0001 2321 2338
- VIAF: 88809641
- GND: 118597523
- LCCN: n79018531
- NDL: 120076761
- NLA: 028191730
- NTA: DA01059519
- SELIBR: 199622360
- SNAC: nm0705174
- SUDOC: 00453564
- Trove: 120076761
- Wikidata: Q38669
- Wikipedia: Jean Racine
- Wikimedia Commons: Jean Racine

### Related Entities
- **Académie Française**: Jean Racine was a member of the Académie Française, which is a pre-eminent council for the French language.
- **Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres**: Jean Racine was a member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, which is a French learned society devoted to the humanities.
- **Voltaire**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Voltaire, who was a French writer, historian, and philosopher.
- **Molière**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Molière, who was a French playwright and actor.
- **Pierre Corneille**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Pierre Corneille, who was a French playwright and poet.
- **Jean de La Fontaine**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Jean de La Fontaine, who was a French poet and fabulist.
- **Jean-Baptiste Lully**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Jean-Baptiste Lully, who was a French composer and ballet master.
- **Jean Racine Street**: Jean Racine Street is a street in Paris, France, named after Jean Racine.
- **Jean Racine School**: Jean Racine School is a post-secondary school in Paris, France, named after Jean Racine.
- **Jean Racine Museum**: Jean Racine Museum is a museum in Paris, France, dedicated to the life and work of Jean Racine.

### Key People
- **Voltaire**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Voltaire, who was a French writer, historian, and philosopher.
- **Molière**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Molière, who was a French playwright and actor.
- **Pierre Corneille**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Pierre Corneille, who was a French playwright and poet.
- **Jean de La Fontaine**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Jean de La Fontaine, who was a French poet and fabulist.
- **Jean-Baptiste Lully**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Jean-Baptiste Lully, who was a French composer and ballet master.
- **Marie-Catherine de Villedieu**: Jean Racine was married to Marie-Catherine de Villedieu, who was a French noblewoman.
- **Louis XIV**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Louis XIV, who was the King of France and a patron of the arts.
- **Jean-Baptiste Santerre**: Jean Racine was influenced by the work of Jean-Baptiste Santerre, who was a French painter and sculptor.
- **Jean Racine's Children**: Jean Racine had three children, including Jean-Baptiste Racine, who was a French playwright and poet.
- **Jean Racine's Grandchildren**: Jean Racine's grandchildren included Jean-Baptiste Racine, who was a French playwright and poet.

## References

1. Archivio Storico Ricordi
2. general catalog of BnF
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
5. BnF authorities
6. Genealogics
7. [academie-francaise.fr](https://www.academie-francaise.fr/les-immortels/jean-racine?fauteuil=13&election=05-12-1672)
8. The Fine Art Archive
9. Library of the World's Best Literature
10. [Source](http://www.tombes-sepultures.com/crbst_997.html)
11. International Standard Name Identifier
12. CiNii Research
13. IMDb
14. OPAC SBN
15. MusicBrainz
16. [Source](https://aibl.fr/academiciens-depuis-1663/)
17. [Internetowa encyklopedia PWN](http://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Racine-Jean-Baptiste;3965185.html)
18. SNAC
19. Internet Broadway Database
20. Enciclopédia Itaú Cultural
21. Nationalencyklopedin
22. Find a Grave
23. International Music Score Library Project
24. Babelio
25. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia
26. GeneaStar
27. Roglo
28. Jean Racine. La France savante
29. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
30. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
31. Virtual International Authority File
32. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Racine%20Jean)
33. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index14.html)
34. CONOR.SI
35. Autoritats UB
36. Encyclopædia Britannica
37. La France savante
38. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
39. Quora
40. Enciclopedia Treccani
41. The Movie Database
42. LIBRIS. 2012
43. LibraryThing
44. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
45. Provenio
46. HMML Authority File
47. performing-arts.ch
48. Media Library for Dance and Theatre
49. Catalogo of the National Library of India