François du Souhait (between 1570 and 1580 – 1617 in Nancy) was a French language author (translator, novelist, poet, satirist, moral philosopher) of the late 16th and early 17th century from the Duchy of Lorraine (at the time, a sovereign court with ties to France).
Du Souhait lived for many years in France, but he was apparently banished in 1614 for having contributed to a scabrous satirical poetry collection.
One biographer (Jean Serroy) believes that while in France Du Souhait frequented the literary circle around Marguerite de Valois (through the intervention of his friend, fellow author Jacques Corbin).
As a novelist, Du Souhait's early works participated in the same tradition of the "sentimental novel" as authors Antoine de Nervèze and Nicolas des Escuteaux, although Du Souhait differs from these authors both in his content (he paints a far less idealized portrait of love and includes occasional satirical/realistic elements) and in his sometimes awkward style (especially in his "tit-for-tat" gallant dialogues).
Du Souhait's ear for oral discourse and his satirical side are most apparent in his short story collection Histoires comiques ou entretiens facetieux (Paris, 1612).