Pierre Beaumarchais

Born Pierre-Augustin Caron in Paris, he changed his surname to "Caron de Beaumarchais" to his surname in 1757, after land which his wife had inherited.

Though Beaumarchais is perhaps best known as a writer of the comedy on which Gioacchino Rossini's The Barber of Seville and Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro were based, he was (amongst many other things) also an accomplished musician, watch-maker, secret agent, architect, politician, inventor, and arms dealer.

He was among the major supporters in France of American Independence. It's generally admitted that Beaumarchais wasn't republican, but his writings contributed to hurry on the events that led to the Revolution.

Cause of death: Complications connected with lengthy heavy-drinking. Apoplexy.

Buried in Le Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France.