Jean Baptiste Louis Gresset, a French author, born in Amiens in 1709, died in 1777. He was educated at a college of the Jesuits, and at the age of 16 entered the order as a novice. In 1733 he published a poem under the title of Vert-vert, in which he ridiculed some of the features of convent life. Having removed to Paris, he produced successively La Chartreuse, Le careme impromptu, Le lutrin vivant, and Les ombres, all of which were received with great favor on account of their spirited style and elegant versification. But the freedom of some of his remarks displeased his religious superiors, and he left the order before the end of his novitiate. He now produced a tragedy, Edouard III., and a few years later Sidney, a drama. In 1747 appeared his comedy of Le mechant, which procured him admission to the French academy. In the midst of his successes Gresset retired to Amiens, where having married he passed his time in religious employments, in the care of his family, and in attacking various abuses. He condemned the irreligious tendency of his works, committed several unpublished pieces to the flames, and asked pardon of heaven in a copy of verses which Voltaire and Piron ridiculed.

He founded an academy of letters at Amiens, and, as director of the French academy, was chosen to congratulate Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette on their accession to the throne in 1774; in return for which he received a patent of nobility. An edition of his works in 3 vols. was published at Paris in 1811. Vert-tert has repeatedly been translated into English.