Choderlos de Laclos Biography

Fast Facts

• Dangerous Liaisons was a huge success upon its release in March of 1782, selling 1,000 copies in a month, which was an exceptional amount for the time
• Began his long military career as a lieutenant at La Rochelle during the Seven Years' War
• His first published works were several light poems that appeared in the Almanach des Muses in the early 1770s
• Served under Napoleon Bonaparte, who was responsible for his being reinstated as a Brigadier General in the Army of the Rhine in 1800
• Best known as an army general and novelist who wrote the controversial book "Dangerous Liaisons․"
• Born on October 18, 1741
• His novel "Dangerous Liaisons" has been adapted into a number of films in various languages, including the award-winning 1988 film by the same name and the popular 1999 film "Cruel Intentions․"