Pierre Corneille

Corneille, Pierre (1606–84), French dramatist, creator of French classical verse tragedy. His masterpiece, Le Cid (1637), though controversial in its time, was a great popular success. His many other plays include Horace (1640), China (1640), and Polyeucte (1643). His popularity faded with the rise of his younger rival, Jean Racine.

See also: Cid, El.