La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) was a French classical author who was one of the most active rebels of the
Fronde before becoming the leading proponent of the
maxime, a French literary form of epigram that expresses severe or contradictory facts with brevity. La Rochefoucauld published only two works, the
Memoires and the
Maximes. Additionally, about 150 letters have been collected with 19 shorter pieces, now known as
Reflexions diverses.
Leonard Tancock (1902-1986) was an eminent translator of French and a renowned scholar. He taught French at University College London and is best known for his translation of classic French literature, including works by Emile Zola, Voltaire, and Guy de Maupassant.