François de La Rochefoucauld, 2nd Duke of La Rochefoucauld, Prince de Marcillac was an accomplished French moralist of the era of French Classical literature and author of Maximes and Memoirs, the only two works of his dense literary œuvre published. His Maximes portrays the callous nature of human conduct, with a cynical attitude towards putative virtue and avowals of affection, friendship, love, and loyalty. Leonard Tancock regards Maximes as "one of the most deeply felt, most intensely lived texts in French literature", with his "experience, his likes and dislikes, sufferings and petty spites ... crystallized into absolute truths."

The title of Duke de La Rochefoucauld is a French peerage, whose origins go back to Lord Rochefoucauld in Charente in the 10th century with Foucauld 1st (973–1047), first Lord of La Rochefoucauld, son of Adémar, Lord of La Roche (952–1037). They got the title of Baron in the 13th century, then became Count in 1528 with Francis I de La Rochefoucauld, godfather of King Francis I and in 1622, Francis V de La Rochefoucauld was made Duke by Louis XIII. They are also, since 16th century, Prince of Marcillac. They become during the 18th century: Duke of Liancourt, Duke of Anville and Duke of Estissac. They become during the 19th century: Prince de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel, Duke of Doudeauville, Duke of Estrees and Duke of Bisaccia. They are also: Marquees de Montendre, de Barbezieux, de Surgères and de Bayers; also Count de Duretal, Count de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel and Baron de Verteuil.