French enlightenment thinker, lawyer, philosopher, and writer. This treatise on political theory, originally published anonymously in 1748, has become one of the most influential works of political science ever written. Although the catholic church put spirit on its list of banned books, the work. The book was originally published anonymously partly because montesquieus. In 1721 montesquieu published the persian letters, which was an instant success and made montesquieu a literary celebrity. In 1721 montesquieu published lettres persanes persian letters, 1722, a brilliant satirical portrait of french, particularly parisian, civilization, supposedly as seen through the eyes of two persian travelers. He was a french political thinker who lived during the age of enlightenment. He published the persian letters anonymously, but his authorship was an open secret. Composed over the course of twentyone years, the spirit of laws is a writing of enormous depth, scope and significance. This biography provides information about his childhood, life, achievements, career and timeline. Montesquieu grew up to become an author, jurist, political and social commentator. During his travels montesquieu did not avoid the social pleasures that he had sought in paris, but his serious ambitions were strengthened. The spirit of laws, first published in 1750, is a detailed treatise on the structures and theory of government by french political philosopher.
After an early education at home and with the village schoolmaster, he was sent away to juilly, an oratorian school in meaux, just outside of paris, at. It is planned to total 22 volumes, of which at february. As a matter of fact the story of his life is but the chronicle of the preparation and composition of his books. Unlike his wellloved persian letters, the spirit of laws scandalized the frenchit was even banned by the roman catholic church. Montesquieu biography childhood, life achievements. After an early education at home and with the village schoolmaster, he was sent away to juilly, an oratorian school in meaux, just outside of paris, at the age of eleven. Montesquieu project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Montesquieu was born into a noble family in southwestern france, where his family was significantly involved in provincial government. He thought for a time of a diplomatic career but on his return to france decided to devote himself to literature. In this book he tried to work out the application of his views to the. A definitive edition of montesquieus works is being published by the societe montesquieu.
The text itself is comprised of thirtyone distinct books, each of which discusses a specific legal topic in. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, which is implemented in many constitutions throughout the. He helped make the terms feudalism and byzantine empire popular. He was able to describe the spirit of reason which.
He spent lots of time in paris in behalf of working in parliament. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of. The life of man is but a succession of vain hopes and groundless fears. Baron montesquieus groundbreaking political treatise is published here complete with every parts original notes. Born in 1689 in the bordeaux region of france, he graduated from the university of bordeaux in 1708 with a degree in law, although he would eventually abandon. Montesquieu simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
His earliest productions were read before the academy of bordeaux, of which he became a member 1716. Originally published anonymously partly because montesquieus works were subject to censorship, its influence outside of france was aided by its rapid translation. He began to spend more time in paris, where he frequented salons and acted on behalf of the parlement and the academy of bordeaux. Considerations on the causes of the greatness of the romans and their decline 1734 montesquieu is a founding father of political philosophy. His mother and father both had noble histories, and. His masterwork, the spirit of laws, published in 1748, had enormous. Reflections on the causes of the grandeur and declension of the romans, 1734. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, which is taken for granted in modern discussions of government and implemented in many constitutions throughout the. He published the perisan letters which became a success and made montesquieu a literary celebrity. Results 1 30 of cartas persas by montesquieu and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at results 1 30 of 99 cartas persas by montesquieu and a great selection of similar used, new and.
Montesquieus first major work, lettres persanes persian letters, was published in 1721 and became a huge success. Supposedly written by two persian travelers in europe, montesquieu. In 1721 he surprised all but a few close friends by publishing his lettres persanes. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, which is taken for granted in modern discussions of government and. He is best known for the theory of separation of powers, which he advanced as a safeguard against arbitrary rule. His notebook entries dating from 1720 to 1755 have been compiled and published in a book called mes pensees. He is famous for his theory of the separation of powers in government.
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