Corneille (kor-nayl'), Pierre. French dramatist. Born in 1606, in Rouen. Was educated for the law, but the success of his first comedy, "Melite," induced him to devote himself to literature. It was followed by other comedies, but from 1635 he preferred tragedy, producing "Medee," "Le Cid" (which established his fame), "Horace," "Cinna," "Polyeucte," and "La Mort de Pompee." Died 1684.

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