Francois Rabelais (1493­1553) was a popular French satirist. His witty 
writings emphasized individual liberty while focusing on the political and 
philosophical thinking of his time. One of his greatest fans was Francis 
I, who granted Rabelais license to publish his books. However, when 
Francis died, a backlash against liberty of thought caused Rabelais to 
flee to Rome. Two of his well-known works are Pantagruel  (1532) and 
Gargantua  (1534).-end--Laurence Sterne (1713­1768) was an 
English vicar with a talent for writing and a penchant for women. His 
major work, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy  (1760) sent a 
wave through literary circles. Among his other works are Sermons of  
Mr. Yorick (1760­1769), Journal to Eliza  (1767) and A Sentimental  
Journey Through France and Italy  (1768).