Named in memory of the French lyric poet Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695), on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of his death. He is well known from the “fables” (first published in six books in 1668, with a total of 12 books by 1694) and his “contes”. The fables were inspired by Greek and Latin writers such as Aesop and Phaedrus, and the contes, mainly by the French writers Rabelais {see planet  (5666)} and Marguerite de Navarre. Although la Fontaine continued the classical tradition, he created his own style and language that exhibits versatility and fecundity. He is considered one of the greatest classical French writers. (M 23541) _ _.