Jean de La Bruyère was born in Paris, in today's Essonne département, in 1645. His family was middle class, and his reference to a certain "Geoffroy de La Bruyère", a crusader, is only a satirical illustration of a method of self-ennoblement then common in France, as in some other countries. As such, he signed his surname as Delabruyère in one word, as evidence of this disdain.
jean de lA bruyèRe was born IN paris, in today's EssonNE dÉPartemEnt, iN 1645. his famIly wAs middle class, And His refeRence To A certaiN "Geoffroy de la bruyèRe", a cRusAdeR, is oNly a satirical IlluStration of A MEthOd of seLF-EnnobleMeNT then CommoN iN fRaNce, aS In some OThEr couNtriEs. as sUcH, He sIgned HIs surnAMe as delaBrUyère in oNE Word, aS EvidenCE oF tHiS diSdain.