Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, French general and author (d. 1803)
Pierre Ambroise François Choderlos de Laclos (French: [pjɛʁ ɑ̃bʁwaz fʁɑ̃swa ʃɔdɛʁlo də laklo]; 18 October 1741 – 5 September 1803) was a French novelist, official, Freemason and army general, best known for writing the epistolary novel Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) (1782).
A unique case in French literature, he was for a long time considered to be as scandalous a writer as the Marquis de Sade or Restif de La Bretonne. He was a military officer with no illusions about human relations, and an amateur writer; however, his initial plan was to "write a work which departed from the ordinary, which made a noise, and which would remain on earth after his death"; from this point of view he mostly attained his goals with the fame of his masterwork Les Liaisons dangereuses.
It is one of the masterpieces of novelistic literature of the 18th century, which explores the amorous intrigues of the aristocracy. It has inspired many critical and analytic commentaries, plays and films.
1741Oct, 18
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
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Events on 1741
- 18Mar
New York Conspiracy of 1741
New York governor George Clarke's complex at Fort George is burned in an arson attack, starting the New York Conspiracy of 1741. - 10Apr
Battle of Mollwitz
War of the Austrian Succession: Prussia gains control of Silesia at the Battle of Mollwitz. - 10Aug
Battle of Colachel
King Marthanda Varma of Travancore defeats the Dutch East India Company at the Battle of Colachel, effectively bringing about the end of the Dutch colonial rule in India. - 14Sep
Messiah (Handel)
George Frideric Handel completes his oratorio Messiah.