[Born at Dreux, in France, 1609. Died there, 1650, Aged 41.]
One of the creators of French tragedy. To him Corneille is indebted for
the idea of founding a tragedy upon the subject of the Cid--for it was
at his instigation that the great master first looked to the Spanish
stage for inspiration and guidance. Rotrou gloried in the success of
Corneille, and generously maintained his superiority over all dramatic
writers in France--including himself. He left thirty-seven dramatic
pieces, and many of them exhibit power and great felicity of language.
He enjoyed a civil office in his native town, where he was much
respected. He was cut off by an epidemic.
[The original is in marble, by Caffieri. The costume is of the time of
Louis XIII.; but the bust must have been done from some painted
portrait, as it bears the date of 1783, and Caffieri was not born
until 1723.]