Cyrano de Bergerac, Savinien

(born March 6, 1619, Paris, France—died July 28, 1655, Paris) French satirist and dramatist. He was a soldier until 1641 and studied under the philosopher Pierre Gassendi (1592–1655). He wrote plays as well as fantastical works combining science-fantasy and political satire that inspired such later writers as Jonathan Swift. He became the basis of many romantic legends, including Edmond Rostand's play Cyrano de Bergerac (1897), in which he is portrayed as a gallant and brilliant but shy and ugly lover, with a remarkably large nose (which in fact he had).

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica