Montesquieu

In 1715, he married Jeanne de Lartigue. The couple had three children together.

He died at the age of 66 due to severe fever in Paris.

A collection of his notebook entries from 1720 until his death in 1755 was published in a book form titled, ‘Mes Pensees’, translated as ‘My Thoughts’ in English. The English version was translated by Henry C. Clark.

Baron de Montesquieu was born in Aquitaine, France into a well to do family. His father Jacques de Secondat had a long noble ancestry and was a soldier. His mother, Marie Fran�oise de Pesnel died when he was seven.

He studied at the Catholic College of Juilly, a well-known school for Children belonging to the French nobility. After his father died in 1713, he went under the care of his uncle Baron de Montesquieu.

He studied literature, sciences and received classical education. He later went to attend the University of Bordeaux, where he pursued his studies in law. After his graduation, he worked in Paris.

After the death of his uncle, Baron, he became the heir to the latter’s fortune and earned his legal title as well. He was also bestowed with the office of President � Mortier in the Bordeaux Parliament.

In 1714, he was appointed as a councillor in the Bordeaux Parliament. He later went on to become the deputy president of the Bordeaux Parliament. By this time he had established a social status for himself and was a wealthy man.

In 1721, he came out with his book titled, ‘Persian Letters', which was a political satire and social satire in the French context. The book earned him immense critical acclaim.

While he was in Paris, he represented the Parliament and the Academy of Bordeaux. During this phase of his life, he went on to publish some of his minor works.

In 1724, he published his work titled, ‘Dialogue de Sylla et d'Eucrate' and 'Reflexionssur la MonarchieUniverselle ' The following year, he came out with 'Le Temple de Gnide '.

By 1725, he had lost interest in his political career and life in the Parliament. The same year, he resigned from the Parliament and left France to travel out of the country.

His book, ‘The Spirit of the Laws' is regarded as one his most influential, ground-breaking works in the genre of political theory. This book had influenced the U.S constitution.