Born in Caen, Boisrobert, a priest, became a significant figure in the history of both French literature abd homosexuality. His passion for the theatre helped him win the favour of Cardinal Richelieu. Boisrobert contributed to the establishment of the French Academy, and was appointed a state counsellor.

Boisrobert made his career without dissimulating his homosexuality, like numerous other figures in the ancien régime. He was notorius for his relationship with his servants. At age of 60 he still boasted about his sexual conquests of men. Though repression certainly existed in pre-revolutionary France, many sodomites pursued their affections openly without scandal or legal troubles.