Carlo Goldoni was born in Venice, Italy, on 25 February 1707. Having begun the composition of plays from an early age, he took his degree in law and settled in Venice, where he started practising as an advocate whilst continuing his literary work. In 1746 he received the appointment of poet to the theatre of San Angelo in Venice and then a similar position at the Venetian Theatre of San Luca. During those years, he wrote many comedies which were performed successfully, but all the while warfare was being waged against him by the partisans of the "Commedia dell'Arte", based on the drama of improvisation. Goldoni's plays were a fully elaborated and realistic character play, inspired by the works of Moliere. He therefore accepted a place as poet to the Theatre Italien in Paris. As his contract finished, he was appointed Italian tutor to the daughters of Louis XV and a pension was assigned to him. This pension was withdrawn in 1792 during the French Revolution and he died in 1793 in extreme poverty, a day before the pension was restored to his widow. Goldoni produced about 150 dramatic pieces in total. His fame rests on the comedies picturing the customs of his time, such as "La Locanderia", "Un curioso accidente", "Il Bugiardo", "Il Burbero benefico" (originally written in French), "I Rusteghi", etc. He also wrote his "Memoires" in French.