Bernard de la Monnoye

La Monnoye began his studies in Jesuit schools, and attracted attention for his epigrams in Latin and essays in French.

He began legal practice at the Parlement de Dijon in 1662; but had little inclination for that profession, and, using his health as an excuse, left the bar and devoted himself entirely to the literary arts.

In the following years La Monnoye divided his time between reading books and frequenting the intellectual circles of Dijon, where he made his debut in poetry.

In 1671 he won a contest of the Académie française with a poetic essay on "the abolition of the duel",[1] which was ardently praised by Charles Perrault, and years later by Voltaire.

The best known, which is still orchestrated and played today, is probably "Guillô, pran ton tamborin", better known as "Patapan", which begins as Some priests saw in these carols a hidden attempt to mock the Bible, and the question got as far as being submitted to a committee of Sorbonne professors, who prudently avoided the issue.

Having lapsed on his contractual obligations, he had to file for bankruptcy and lost all his modest fortune, being forced to sell even the medals he had won from the Academy.