Charles Paul de Kock was a prolific 19th-century French novelist known for his witty and satirical depictions of Parisian society. His works often revolve around middle-class characters and their everyday struggles, exploring themes of love, ambition, and social mores with humor and insight. De Kock's lively writing and keen observation of human nature made him immensely popular in his time, offering a vivid portrayal of life in post-Revolutionary France.