Jean de La Fontaine ( ; 8 July 1621 -- 13 April 1695 ) was the most famous French fabulist and one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century .
Jean de La Fontaine ( ] ; 8 July 1621 -- 13 April 1695 ) was the first of the French fabulist . He was one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century .