Jean Racine was a prominent French playwright born on December 22, 1639, in La Ferté-Milon, France. He is best known for his tragedies, which are characterized by their emotional depth and classical themes. Racine's works often draw on ancient Greek and Roman sources, exploring complex human emotions and moral dilemmas. Racine's most famous plays include Phèdre, Andromaque, and Britannicus. His writing style is marked by its poetic language and tight structure, making him a key figure in the French classical theatre movement. Racine's influence on literature and drama continues to be felt today, as his works are still performed and studied worldwide.