John Baptist, a celebrated French comedian and dramatic writer, whose true name was Poquelin, which for some reason he changed to that of Moliere. He was the son of a valet de chambre, and was born at Paris about the year 1622. He went through the study of the classics under the Jesuits in the college of Clermont, and was designed for the bar; but at his quitting the law schools, he made choice of the actor's profession. From a strong attachment to the drama, Moliere's whole study and application were directed to the stage, and he continued till his death to exhibit plays, which were greatly applauded. It is said the first motive of his going upon the stage was to enjoy the company of an actress for whom he had contracted a violent fondness. His comedies are highly esteemed. And it is no wonder he so justly represented domestic feuds, and the torments of jealous husbands, or of those who have reason to be so; for it is asserted that no man ever experienced this more than Moliere. His last comedy was Le Malade Imaginaire, which was brought on the stage in 1673; and Moliere died on the fourth night of its representation; some say in acting the very part of the pretended dead man, which gave some exercise for the wits of the time; but according to others he died in his bed that night, from the bursting of a vein in his lungs by coughing. The king, as a last mark of his favour, prevailed with the archbishop of Paris to suffer him to be buried in consecrated ground; though he had irritated the clergy by his Tartuffe. The most esteemed editions of his works are that of Amsterdam, 5 vols. 12mo, 1699; and that of Paris, 6 vols. 4to, 1734.