A rich man suddenly becomes poor and he goes to live in the country with his children. One day he goes to the city on business. His daughters Rosalind and Hortensia ask him for expensive presents, but his other daughter, Beauty, only wants a rose. On his way back the man takes a rose from the garden of a castle. But the owner of the castle, a beast, becomes angry and demands something in exchange...

Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, Author, Teacher Trainer 

Pioneering Writer and Educator

Life and Early Years: Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, born on April 26, 1711, in Rouen, France, was a prominent French novelist celebrated for her significant contributions to children's literature and the fairy tale genre. Christened as Marie-Barbe, she faced early adversity, losing her mother at the age of eleven. Subsequently, she and her sister were mentored by affluent women who enrolled them in the convent school at Ernemont in Rouen. Following their education, both sisters became teachers at the same convent from 1725 to 1735.

Career and Marriages: Leprince de Beaumont's career took a notable turn when she secured a prestigious position as a singing teacher for the children at the Court of the Duke of Lorraine, Stanisław Leszczyński, in Lunéville. In 1737, she entered her first marriage with the dancer Antoine Malter, and while details about a second marriage are unclear, it is known that she bore a daughter named Elisabeth from this union.

After separating from her second husband, Grimard de Beaumont, due to his marital infidelities, Jeanne-Marie left France in 1748 and became a governess in London. During her time in England, she achieved success as a writer, publishing several fairy tales, including an abridged version of "Beauty and the Beast," adapted from Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's original.

Literary Contributions: Her literary output was extensive, with approximately seventy volumes published during her career. Noteworthy among her works was the moralistic novel "The Triumph of Truth" (Le Triomphe de la vérité), published in 1748. Leprince de Beaumont also authored collections called "magasins," serving as instructional handbooks for parents and educators. These collections included folk tales as moral and educational tools.

She edited the magazine "Le Nouveau Magasin français, ou Bibliothèque instructive et amusante" from 1750 to 1752 and contributed articles to the British newspaper "The Spectator" during her London years.

Later Years: After leaving England in 1763, Jeanne-Marie lived in Savoy, then moved to Avallon near Dijon in 1774. She continued her literary pursuits and maintained an active correspondence, as evidenced by her personal letters. Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont passed away on September 8, 1780.

Legacy: Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont's legacy is enduring, with her fairy tales, particularly "Beauty and the Beast," remaining beloved classics. Her emphasis on using folk tales for moral and educational purposes marked her as a trailblazer in children's literature. Today, she is recognized as one of the most popular and influential female writers of the eighteenth century, whose work continues to captivate readers around the world.

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