Ronsard
PIERRE DE, a French poet; born in Vendomois, France, Sept. 11, 1524. At the age of 12 he became page to the Duc d'Orleans; and in 1537 he accompanied James V. of Scotland and his bride, Madeleine of France, back to their kingdom. He also spent six months at the English English court, and after his return to France in 1540 was employed in a diplomatic capacity in Germany, Piedmont, Flanders, and Scotland. He was compelled, however, by deafness to abandon the diplomatic career; and he devoted himself to literary studies and became the chief of the band of seven poets afterward known as the "Pléiade."
Ronsard's popularity and prosperity during his life were very great. Henry II., Francis II., and Charles IX. esteemed him, and the last bestowed several abbacies and priories on the poet. His writings consist of sonnets, odes, ROOK hymns, eclogues, elegies, satires, and a fragment of an epic poem, "La Franciade." He died at Tours, in December, 1585.