 Born a Parisian watchmaker's son, Beaumarchais rose in French society and became influential in the court of Louis XV as an inventor and music teacher.He made a number of important business and social contacts, played various roles as a diplomat and spy, and had earned a considerable fortune before a series of costly court battles jeopardized his reputation.An early French supporter of American independence, Beaumarchais lobbied the French government on behalf of the American rebels during the American War of Independence.