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Jean Racine's Birth
Jean Racine was born December 22, 1639 in La Ferte Milon, France. -
Jean Racine's Parents
Jean Racine was orphaned at the age of four years old, and his grandparents took on the role of taking care of him. -
Early Life
After the death of Jean Racine's grandfather, his grandmother Marie de Moulin went to go live in the convent of Port - Royal and took Racine with her where he first was introduced to theatre. -
Early Education
Jean Racine received his classical education at the Petites Ecole Port de Royal. This was a religious institution that greatly shaped his views on theatre as a child. -
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Intro to the Arts
During his time at Port Royal he excelled in his studies of the classics, along with Greek Mythology and Roman Mythology which end up playing a part in his future works. -
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University of Beauvais
Jean Racine leaves Port Royal to go and study at the University of Beauvais and two years later returns to Port Royal to finish studying rhetoric. -
First Play
Jean Racine's first play "Amise" never made it to the stage, but his tragedy "La Thebaide ou Les Freres ennemis" did make it to the stage in Paris. -
Alexandre le Grande
One of Jean Racine's most notable plays is produced by Moliere a production company at the time and is performed at the Palais Royal. -
Scrutiny
During this time Jean Racine faced scrutiny for his plays and being a playwright from professors at Port-Royal. During this time they called Jean Racine and playwrights just like him " public prisoners." -
Breaking Ties
Jean Racine entered controversy when he was faced with accusations that he was polluting the minds of his audience, and because of this he broke all ties with Port Royal and proceeded to make more plays. -
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Notable Works
Although during this time he was still facing scrutiny for being a playwright he was still creating plays and one of his most notable works was " Bajazet". This play was published in the first year and performed in the next year. -
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Rise to Power
He is elected into the Academie Francaise, and eventually gains much power over the organization. Then, two years later is elected " Treasurer of France" and announced as a gentleman of the King. -
Jean Racine Post
In October, Jean Racine accepts the post of historiographer from King Louis XIV. -
Marriage
Jean Racine marries Catherine de Romanet. -
First Child
Catherine de Romanet and Jean Racine have their first child. A son named Jean-Baptiste Racine, and also grows to become a French dramatist and author of the famous " 11 Tragedies and a Comedy." -
Scandal
This year something that had a drastic effect on his writing of plays was the scandals that he had been involved in. For example, he was accused by Catherine Monvoisin of trying to poison her. -
Return to Theatre
At the request of King Louis XIV's consort, Jean Racine makes two religious plays called "Esther" and "Abrégé de l’histoire de Port-Royal ( The History of Port-Royal)". -
Second Child
Jean Racine and Catherine de Romanet have their second son and last child. His name is Louis Racine and he himself grows up to be a French Poet during the "Age of Enlightenment" -
Promotion
This year the King of France Louis XIV announces Jean Racine as the " Secretary of the King". -
Death
Jean Racine dies of Liver Cancer in Paris, France. -
Resting place
Jean Racine had been buried in Paris, France, however, when Louis XIV had Port Royal destroyed, Jean Racine's remains were moved to a tomb in the Parisian church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont. -
