François Lays
François Lay, better known under the stage name Lays (14 February 1758 – 30 March 1831), was a French baritone and tenor opera singer. Originally destined for a career in the church, Lays was recruited by the Paris Opéra in 1779. He soon became a leading member of the company, in spite of quarrels with the management. Lays enthusiastically welcomed the French Revolution and became involved in politics with the encouragement of his friend Bertrand Barère. Barère's downfall led to Lays being imprisoned briefly, but he soon won back the public and secured the patronage of Napoleon, at whose coronation and second wedding he sang. This association with the Emperor caused him trouble when the Bourbon monarchy was restored and Lays's final years were darkened by disputes over his pension, mounting debts, the death of his only son and his wife's illness. After a career spanning more than four decades, he died in poverty.
Étienne Lamy
Étienne Marie Victor Lamy (2 June 1845 – 9 January 1919) was a French author, born in Cize, Jura. He was educated at the College Stanislas and became a doctor of law in 1870. From 1871 to 1881 he was a deputy from his native department, Jura, and his earlier writings were political and historical. In the House of Deputies he was a member of the Left, but he broke with his party and became a clerical reactionary, writing for the "Gaulois" and the "Correspondant". In 1905 he became a member of the Académie française (seat #21), and in 1913 he succeeded Thureau-Dangin as its perpetual secretary. Among Lamy's works are: