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.
Francisque Gay
Francisque Gay was born on 2 May 1885 in Roanne, Loire, son of a plumbing contractor.
He was educated by the Marists of Charlieu, then by the Lazarists of Lyon.
In 1903, when he was aged 18, Gay helped at the national congress of the Cercles d'études (Study Circles) in Lyon.
There he was impressed by the views of Marc Sangnier, founder of Le Sillon (The Furrow).
He went to Paris to visit Sangnier at his home on the boulevard Raspail and to offer his help with Le Sillon.
He was deeply influenced by Sangnier's views on Social Catholicism, and founded a branch of Le Sillon in Roanne.
He contributed to Le Sillon's journal, "Démocratie".