Pierre Choderlos de Laclos 1741 – 1803

Biography

Pierre Choderlos de Laclos was born on October 18, 1741, in Amiens, France, during a time of considerable cultural and political change. Over the course of his life, he would distinguish himself through multiple careers, serving his nation as both a military officer and a man of letters. His diverse roles reflected the complexity of his era and his own multifaceted talents.

Throughout his career, Laclos held positions as an official and achieved the rank of army general, demonstrating his capacity for leadership and service. Yet it was as a novelist that he would leave an enduring mark on French literature and intellectual history. His literary contributions earned him a place among the notable voices of his time, blending his observant eye for human nature with his pen.

Laclos spent his final years abroad, eventually settling in the Mediterranean region. He died on September 5, 1803, in Taranto, Italy, succumbing to dysentery. In keeping with his wishes or the circumstances of his passing, he was laid to rest on San Paolo Island, Italy, far from his native France. His life spanned the tumultuous years of the French Revolution and beyond, witnessing profound transformations in his country and the wider world.