François Maynard facts for kids
François Maynard (born November 21, 1582 – died December 28, 1646) was an important French poet. He spent most of his life in the city of Toulouse, France. Maynard was known for his elegant writing style and his connection to other famous writers of his time.
Early Life and Career
François Maynard was born in Toulouse. His father was a conseiller, which was a high-ranking legal official in the local government. François also studied law and later became a president in the town of Aurillac.
He worked as a secretary for Margaret of Valois, who was the wife of King Henry IV of France. Some of Maynard's earliest poems were written for her. He was a student of another famous poet, François de Malherbe. Malherbe thought Maynard was very skilled at writing his lines, even better than his rival Racan. However, Malherbe also felt that Maynard's poems sometimes lacked strong energy.
Travels and Later Life
In 1634, Maynard traveled to Rome, Italy, with Cardinal de Noailles. He stayed in Italy for about two years. When he returned to France, he tried hard to get support from Cardinal Richelieu, a very powerful leader. However, his efforts were not successful.
Because he couldn't gain favor in Paris, Maynard had to go back to Toulouse. He often felt sad about being away from Paris. He also missed being able to attend meetings of the Académie française, which was a very important group for French language and literature. Maynard was one of the first members of this famous academy.
One of his most well-known poems is "Alcippe, reviens dans nos bois." This poem was written in the style of the ancient Roman poet Horace. François Maynard passed away in Toulouse in 1646.
His Published Works
Maynard's writings included different types of poems like odes, which are long lyrical poems, and epigrams, which are short, witty poems. He also wrote songs and letters. All his works were put together and published in 1646 by a person named Mann le Roy de Gomberville.
One of his famous poems is called "Le Nouveau Riche" (The New Rich Man):
Pierre who during his youth,
Was a famous cobbler;
Is superb of his richness
And ashamed of his old trade.
This fortunate merchant of boots
Owns a park, close to my home,
Of which the fountains and the grottos
Are worthy of the houses of the king.
I am confused when I think
That he dug a canal there
By which the magnificent expense
would astonish the cardinal.
See also
In Spanish: François Maynard para niños
