Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle

Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle was a French army officer and composer born in 1760 in Lons-le-Saunier who began composing songs and military marches during the early years of the French Revolution. He composed the revolutionary song 'La Marseillaise', a martial, melodic piece rooted in patriotic and military song traditions that was later integrated into French national life and influenced subsequent civic and military music in France.