Louvet de Couvray, Jean-Baptiste

Born June 12, 1760, in Paris; died there, Aug. 24, 1797. French writer and political figure.

Louvet de Couvray was the author of a frivolous picaresque novel, The Amours of the Cavalier of Faublas (vols. 1-13, 1787-90; in Russian translation The Adventures of the Chevalier de Faublas, 1792-96), which portrayed the corruption of morals in aristocratic society on the eve of the Great French Revolution.

During the revolution, Louvet de Couvray was a member of the Legislative Assembly and later of the National Convention, where he joined the Girondists and directed an accusation against Robespierre on Oct. 29, 1792. He published the poster newspaper La Sentinelle in 1792. During the Jacobin dictatorship, he hid in the provinces. During the Directory, he was a member of the Council of 500. He wrote memoirs, entitled Some Remarks for History and the Story of My Misfortunes After May 31, 1793 (1795)