(Encyclopedia) Toomer, Jean, 1894–1967, American writer, b. Washington, D.C., as Nathan Eugene Toomer. A major figure of the Harlem Renaissance, he is known mainly for Cane (1923, rev. ed. 1988, 2011…
(Encyclopedia) Balue, JeanBalue, JeanzhäN bälüˈ [key], c.1421–1491, French statesman, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. A trusted adviser of the French king Louis XI, he saved Paris for the king…
(Encyclopedia) Renart, JeanRenart, JeanzhäN rənärˈ [key], fl. 1212, French poet. He is believed to be the author of two charming romans courtois, or metrical romances—Guillaume de Dole and L'Escoufle…
(Encyclopedia) Renoir, JeanRenoir, JeanzhäN rənwärˈ [key], 1894–1979, French film director and writer, b. Paris; son of Pierre Auguste Renoir. He made his first film in 1926. Gathering around him a…
(Encyclopedia) Racine, JeanRacine, JeanzhäN räsēnˈ [key], 1639–99, French dramatist. Racine is the prime exemplar of French classicism. The nobility of his Alexandrine verse, the simplicity of his…
(Encyclopedia) Pucelle, JeanPucelle, JeanzhäN püsĕlˈ [key], c.1300–1355, French manuscript illuminator. Master of a celebrated workshop in Paris during the 1320s, Pucelle produced a masterpiece of…
(Encyclopedia) Rhys, JeanRhys, Jeanrēs [key], pseud. of Ella Gwendoline Rees Williams, 1894–1979, English novelist, b. Dominica. Her novels written in the 1930s mercilessly exploit her own emotional…
(Encyclopedia) Ribaut or Ribault, JeanRibaut or Ribault, Jeanboth: zhäN rēbōˈ [key], c.1520–65, French mariner and colonizer in Florida, b. Dieppe. When Gaspard de Coligny decided to plant a French…
(Encyclopedia) Nouvel, JeanNouvel, JeanzhäN n&oomacr;vĕlˈ [key], 1945–, French architect, grad. École des Beaux-Arts, Paris (1971). He opened his own firm in 1975, and became known for innovative…
(Encyclopedia) Nicolet, JeanNicolet, JeanzhäN nēkôlāˈ [key], 1598?–1642, French explorer in the Old Northwest. He came to New France with Samuel de Champlain in 1618. In 1634, under the direction of…