Charles Perrault was a pioneering French author and one of the founding figures of the literary fairy tale. Born on January 12, 1628, in Paris, he was a well-educated man who originally worked as a lawyer and civil servant before turning to literature later in life. Perrault became best known for his groundbreaking collection of fairy tales, which helped shape the genre and influence children’s literature for centuries to come.
In 1697, at the age of 69, Perrault published “Histoires ou contes du temps passé” (Stories or Tales of Past Times), subtitled “Tales of Mother Goose.” This collection included beloved stories such as “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Blue Beard.” These tales, adapted from traditional folk stories, combined moral lessons with magical storytelling, and were among the first fairy tales published specifically for children.
Perrault’s writing was elegant, concise, and accessible, reflecting both the sophistication of French court life and the simple charm of oral tradition. His stories often contained explicit morals, highlighting themes such as obedience, kindness, and the dangers of vanity or curiosity. Despite their fantastical elements, the tales reflected real social values of 17th-century France, making them both entertaining and instructive.
Charles Perrault died on May 16, 1703, but his legacy endures. He laid the foundation for fairy tales as a literary genre and inspired later writers such as the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. His stories have become universal cultural touchstones, retold in countless adaptations and loved by readers around the world for their timeless magic and meaning.
