Étienne Vigée

He was employed as a secretary to Marie Joséphine of Savoy, the Countess of Provence, wife of future king Louis XVIII, and sister in law of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

He wrote poetry in praise of the French Revolution, although his enthusiasm quickly faded and he was at one point arrested as a Girondist.

He succeeded Sautreau de Marsy as editor of the poetry magazine Almanach des Muses from 1794 until 1820, and replaced La Harpe at the Lycée, but had nowhere near the same success as a teacher.

As a playwright he was a skilled imitator of Dorat and Gresset, he put together several clever plays with many points of interest both in style and plotting.

He was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour (Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur).

Étienne Vigée, 1773, painted by his sister
Portrait of Étienne Vigée in his study by Adèle Romany , 1800