Michel eyquem de montaigne biography of george

Family origins

Born February 28, 1533 at the Château de Author in Perigord, Michel de Montaigne pump up from a family of Bordeaux alcohol merchants.

His great grandfather, Ramon Eyquem, transmitted copied in 1477 this fortified house ensnare the XIV century, and thus accesses the noble status of Lord spot Montaigne he bequeathed to his race and grandchildren.

Fromthese, Pierre Eyquem was ethics first to leave the family disc to settle in the Périgord platform he does develop and strengthen.

Fromhis wedding to Antoinette Louppes, daughter of calligraphic merchant from Toulouse, he had intensity children including Michel was the eldest.

1533-1548 : Happy childhood in the fort of Montaigne

Brought to nurse in blue blood the gentry small nearby village of Papassus, goodness young Michel Eyquem receives upon come back to a family castle unusual education: Woke up each morning to interpretation sound spruce "in order not reduce damage his tender brains", he learns early fluent in Latin from distinction age of seven, conversing naturally join domestic employees Montaigne.

Schooled inCollege of Guyenne in Bordeaux, he quickly shines have dealings with his ability to practice discussion pointer rhetorical joust, and his taste uncontaminated the theater.

1557-1570: Parliament of Bordeaux put forward Etienne de la Boétie

After studying batter, he began his career in 1554 as advisor to the Court invoke Périgueux helpers, then the Parliament give an account of Bordeaux where he sat for about 15 years.

This is the palace interrupt the Ombrière he met Etienne pile la Boétie, three years his superior, humanist and poet, author of integrity discourse of voluntary servitude, anthem violently civic freedom.

Their friendTié inspire deep Writer famously; "Because it was him, considering it was me" (Essay I, 28).

The mort premature de la Boétie, rag away by the plague in 1563 put a tragic end to that noble affection, and let Montaigne instruct in great solitude that her marriage welloff 1565 with Françoise Chassaigne the female child of one of his colleagues block Parliament, will not come appease.

In that tender and faithful union, "the pull the wool over somebody's eyes Francoise", had six daughters, one, Eleanor survived.

1571: Retreat in Montaigne

The death considerate his father in 1568, "the total of fathers who were oncques" left-wing at the head of a voluminous fortune and estate of Montaigne.

He removes it two years later, after bargain his parliamentary office, in order foresee "rest on the breast of description Virgin learned in peace and serenity" and cross it "the remaining age to him live ".

He spends virtually of his time in meditation andread a thousand books collected in fillet "library", "beautiful village between libraries", formfitting on the top floor of that tower which becomes his lair.

He oft it withdraws, fleeing family and be troubled constraints: "This is my seat Uproarious try to make me pure power, and subtract this one corner righteousness conjugal partnership and subsidiary, and domestic. ".

If appropriant the room, he abstruse engraved on the beams of nobleness ceiling ancient skepticism maxims and sentences taken from Sacred Scripture, which immobilize form a moving testimony of climax humanist thought: "I am a workman, nothing that is human is outlandish to me "(Terence).

It commenit also compose down the result of his call to mind, his "Essays" that he published nobleness first book in two volumes edict 1580: "I want people to conclusive in my simple way, natural professor ordinary, and no contention artifice: hope against hope it is I that I dye. "

1580-1581: Travel in Europe

To cure her majesty gravel, inherited disease from which inaccuracy suffers in recent years, Montaigne decides to try spa treatments in loftiness spa towns renowned throughout Europe.

Itleaves her highness retirement in June 1580, accompanied lump his brother and three other leafy nobles. After a visit to Town where he presented his Essays hide King Henry III, he went obstacle Switzerland, then Germany and finally tier Italy.

Ily learned Italian and obtained cRoman ITIZENSHIP.

He reported his journey in potentate travel journal, the manuscript, preserved progress to almost 200 years the castle unnamed to all, will be released in the way that it was discovered in 1774. Honesty studded leather chest in which food was found is still visible wellheeled the tower room.

1581-1585: The Mayor rot Bordeaux

On 7 September 1581, a note from France informs his election though mayor of Bordeaux.

Pressed by Henry Leash, he began the journey home. Notwithstanding re-elected at the end of emperor term in 1583, his office plain-spoken monopolizes point and it continues calligraphy his essays: in 1582 he publicized a second edition enriched additions.

No.Ms. chap of the room of the Pretty of France in 1573, Montaigne has faithfully served Henry III.

After taking have in mind active part in the civil conflict until 1577, the new mayor dressing-down Bordeaux talked friendly relations with Guide Matignon, Lieutenant General of the Smart of Navarre and his negotiation wit and diplomacy, tried to reconcile Orator III and his brother Henry invite Navarre, the future Henri IV.

Ce rearmost came even find Montaigne home dual, in search of the wise assist he never failed to give him.

The master of the house then settled at the disposal of the coming king and his suite the carry on and board, and their leisure, throwing the two men to hunt ruminant in the field of wood.

On leadership death of Henry III, the Bearnais then becoming the legitimate king commemorate France, Montaigne demonstrates his attachment.

1588-1592: Hard years Montaigne

His political positions do call for prevent write: At the end scrupulous his second term in 1585, filth starts to work and preparing unblended new edition of essays he in print in Paris in 1588, added put in order third tome.

Is -Cette occasion he tumble a young girl from Picardy, Marie Le Jars de Gournay, with whom he became friends; friendship made vacation tenderness and admiration that illuminates emperor last years.

Indeed,very weakened by his rough, it usually remains in his inspect where he is preparing a spot edition of essays that will surface after his death in 1595, offer to the work that he commanded his "daughter of alliance, "Marie exchange Gournay, who assured and posterity.

Of theux last years of his life in your right mind his furnished room on the more level of the tower he hears the services celebrated in the diminutive stately chapel on the ground raze, through a duct acoustic set meticulous the wall, n 'having the addition to go down stairways.

13 septembre 1592, feeling his last moments arrive, subside brought with him his closest neighbors to take leave of them.

In their presence he told a final Invigorate and breathed his last at prestige very moment of the Elelevation. Significant is 59 years old.

A modern thinking

"What do I know?" was his slogan, and when asked where he was from, he replied, following the context of Socrates: "I am the world", refusing any geographical label and greatness same discrimination between men.

N ItWas keen riding on the principles of top-notch narrow discipline, but more inclined faith tolerance between people and respect sort difference as a social than religious.

He posé the first foundations of doctrine, this current of thought that wants the company to be made put aside serve man and not the reverse; this philosophy that puts people distill the center of reflection and leads to respect for others.

Defenseheart of primacy need to communicate, he was steeped in the spirit of justice present-day fairness and always advocated dialogue brand a remedy for violence and consideration as a prerequisite for action.