Alphonse François Marquis de Sade, Donatien

Donatien - Alphonse - François de Sade (1740 - 1814), better known as the Marquis de Sade, was a French nobleman and writer. A philosopher and extreme libertine, he wrote erotic narratives about sexual practices that are now known as Sadism. TheMarquis joined the army when he was fourteen and took part in the Seven Years War as acolonel of a cavalry regiment. He wrote most of his works in his confinement due to his scandalous conduct. His works included his famous Justine (1791) and Juliette (1797).

Sade, a French aristocrat and writer of philosophy-laden works that were often violent. His repute for sexual cruelty, though based on rumor, led to the term " sadism" being named after him.Some philosophers contend that his works are meant to create anxiety.