Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
Pierre Ambroise Francois Choderlos de Laclos was a French novelist and author best known for his epistolary novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses". Published in 1782, the novel is a powerful and sometimes scandalous exploration of the power of social hypocrisy and seduction. The novel has been adapted into countless works of literature, film, and theatre and continues to be an important work of 18th century literature.
Laclos was born in Amiens, France on October 18, 1741. He studied mathematics and logic at the Borgard College in Paris, and then went on to become an army man like his father. During the Seven Years' War, he served as a staff member under Marshal Minoret, who was in command of the military engineers. He was known to be compassionate towards the common soldier, a believe that the common soldier is above command. This outlook on life was reflected in his writing, as his works were less focused on grand military strategy and instead concentrated on the individual and their experience.
When the war ended, Laclos was determined to enter into a career in the military, but was refused and found himself relegated to a minor post in the French civil service. He became inspector-general of fortifications, in charge of the maintenance of military fortifications along the French coast. This post allowed him much leisure time and afforded him the opportunity to write. In 1780, he published his first novel, "L'Embarras des richesses". The novel was a success and he found himself increasingly in demand amongst the French nobility as a tutor, teacher, and writer.
The most famous work from this period is, of course, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses". The novel followed the interconnected lives of two noble families, the Valmonts and the Merteuils, and their interactions and pursuits. Laclos placed a special emphasis on the hypocrisy and manipulations at the heart of this society and its morals. The novel caused a sensation due to its explicit discussion of sexuality and the immoral behavior of its protagonists. The novel was adapted to film several times, with such iconic performances from John Malkovitch and Glenn Close in the 1988 adaptation cultivating a new generation of fans and admirers.
Laclos lived out his final years quietly and peacefully in his country home. He left the world in 1803, two years after the publication of his final book, "The History of France". Laclos is remembered as an historical figure, his apparent refusal to ascend the ranks of the military and his subsequent contributions to literature standing as an example of what can be accomplished by those who hold fast to their principles. An advocate of the individual and a critic of conventional morality, his works continue to be discussed and dissected, centuries after his death.
