Pierre Jean Baptiste Choudard Desforges

Pierre-Jean-Baptiste Choudard, known under the pen name of Desforges, (15 September 1746 – 13 August 1806) was a French actor, dramatist, librettist and man of letters.

Choudard was born in Paris, the natural son of Dr. Antoine Petit.

Dr. Petit's death left him dependent on his own resources, and after appearing on the stage of the Comédie-Italienne in Paris he joined a troupe of wandering actors, whom he served in the capacity of playwright.

He married an actress; the two were welcomed in Saint Petersburg, where they spent three years (1779 to 1782).

Desforges was one of the first to avail himself of the new facilities afforded under the Revolution for divorce and remarriage.