DU RYER

du ryer, pierre (1606-1658), french dramatist, was born in paris in 1606. his earlier comedies are in the loose style of alexandre hardy, but after the production of the _cid_ (1636) he copied the manner of corneille, and produced his masterpiece _scevole_, probably in 1644 (the date generally given is 1646). _alcionee_ (1638) was so popular that the abbe d'aubignac knew it by heart, and queen christina is said to have had it read to her three times in one day. du ryer was a prolific dramatist. among his other works may be mentioned _saul_ (printed 1642), and a comedy, _les vendanges de suresnes_ (1635 or 1636). he died in paris on the 6th of november 1658.