Alain-René Lesage (1668–1747) was a French novelist and playwright known for his comic and satirical works. He is best recognized for his picaresque novel "Gil Blas" (1715–1735), considered one of the best French picaresque novels, his comic novel "The Devil upon Two Sticks" (1707), and his comedy "Turcaret" (1709), which critiqued the Parisian financiers of his time. Lesage began his career translating Spanish plays and later gained success with original works that combined humor and social criticism. He was notable for being among the first French authors to live entirely from selling his literary works. He suffered personal hardships, including the loss of his parents early in life and family conflicts, but remained productive well into old age, contributing many plays and novels. He died in 1747 in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
