Charles Perrault

Charles Perrault (1628-1697) was a French author, lawyer, and member of the Académie Française who laid the foundations for a new literary genre: the literary fairy tale. His 1697 collection 'Stories or Tales from Times Past, with Morals' included 'Cinderella,' 'Little Red Riding Hood,' 'Sleeping Beauty,' and 'Puss in Boots.' Perrault adapted existing folktales into sophisticated literary works for the French court, adding moral verses and refining the narratives. His work established the fairy tale as legitimate literature and influenced subsequent collectors including the Brothers Grimm.