Like those of so many Renaissance figures, Pierre Boaistuau’s life is shrouded in uncertainty and his biographers often rely on assertions derived from his own writings to piece together his origins, studies, travels, acquaintances, interests, writing career and end. He claims to be a native of Nantes in Brittany, and was most likely born in 1517 to a family of the lower bourgeoisie that included at least nine siblings. A record of baptism for a certain Pierre Bouextau is inscribed for 9 October 1517 at the Parish of Sainte-Croix; and Boaistuau’s name would be published under spellings as diverse as Bouaistuau, Bouaystuau, Boaystuau, Boisteau, to list only the few examples recorded by his modern biographer, Michel Simonin. His title,
Launay(which etymologically evokes a “wood of…
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Citation: Hobart, Brenton Kirk. "Boaistuau, Pierre". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 07 February 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=13102, accessed 22 November 2024.]
