Brief biography of michel de montaigne essays

A short biography of the author of the Essays

Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592) is often reduced to the story of the origin of his Essays: a man cutting himself off from the world and retiring to his tower to work alone.

However, this story, for which he is partly responsible, hides much of the rest of his life: Montaigne was married, had children — although only one of his daughters, Léonor, survived into adulthood — looked after his younger siblings, traveled, entertained visitors, and was involved in local and national politics.

He belonged to the regional gentry of southwestern France and held positions common to men of his rank: member of the Parlement of Bordeaux (one of France’s provincial courts), mayor, and, occasionally, representative of the king of France.

He was a keen horseman and a reluctant but effective manager of his family’s estate. Finally, he had social aspirations and wrote and published to make a name for himself.

Mi