François Tristan l'Hermite

Who was François Tristan l'Hermite?

François l'Hermite was a French dramatist who wrote under the name Tristan l'Hermite. He was born at the Château de Soliers in the Haute Marche.

His adventures began early, for he killed his enemy in a duel at the age of thirteen, and was obliged to flee to England. The story of his childhood and youth he embroiders in a burlesque novel, the Page disgracie. He was, in succession, poet to Gaston d'Orléans, to the duchesse de Chaulnes and the duke of Guise.

His first tragedy, Marianne, was also his best. It was followed by Penthée, La Mort de Seneque, La Mort de Crispe and the Parasite. He was also the author of some admirable lyrics. Three of his best plays are printed in the Théâtre français of 1737.

He took his pseudonym from Tristan l'Hermite, a shadowy figure of the late Middle Ages who was provost of the marshals of the King's household under Louis XI of France.