His full name was Donatien Alphonse Francois, comte de Sade. The term sadism probably is derived from de Sade’s name. A
French writer born in Paris on June 2, 1740, de Sade was best known for his erotic works of which most were written while in
prison during various times in hils life, totaling 27 years. Some of his works include “Justine” (1791) for which he was sent to
prison for in 1803; “Juliette” (1791); “120 Days of Sodom) (1785); “Philosophy in the Boudoir” (1795); “Crimes of Love”
(1800). In 1803 he was confined to the insane asylum, Charenton, until his death on December 2, 1814. Because he regarded
criminal and sexually deviant acts as natural, his novels were banned into the 20th century.