BENJAMIN W. WELLS.
LESAGE,
Alain Rene, French novelist and playwright: b. Sarzeau, near Vannes, 8 May 1668; d. Boulogne-sur-mer, 17 Nov. 1747. He studied law in Paris and be came an advocate, but soon afterward turned all his attention to literature. He made many fruitless efforts after recognition and success, principally by translating from the Greek and Spanish. At length two plays of his,
vaudeville and comic operas (101 in all). Lesage was the forerunner of the realistic school and while not a creator he was a keen observer, painting life as he found it with a keen understanding of its foibles. The Acad emy revenged itself on him for the graceless levity and Irreverence toward the learned pro fessions which he exhibited in his works, by refusing to elect him to their number. But they failed to check the growth of his fame. His influence was first spread in England through Smollett and in France through Balzac. Although popular in his lifetime he was little appreciated, but his place in French literature now appears more secure than ever. A full edition of his works was published in Paris in 1828. Consult Claretie,