Lecouvreur, ADRIENNE

Lecouvreur, ADRIENNE, actress, was born near Châlons, 5th April 1692, made her début at the Comédie Française in 1717, and soon became famous for her power as an actress, her fascinations, and the number and eminence of her admirers, amongst whom were Marshal Saxe, Voltaire, and Lord Peterborough. Her death, 20th March 1730, was ascribed to poison administered by a rival, the Duchess Bouillon. This is the plot of the play by Scribe and Legouvé, in which Rachel, Sarah Bernhardt, and others have won distinction. See her Lettres, edited by Monval (1892).