Montesquieu

Table of Contents

Quotes References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

For Students

Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de Montesquieu summary

Read Next

Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society

12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”

Aristotle (384-322 BC), Ancient Greek philosopher and scientist. One of the most influential philosophers in the history of Western thought, Aristotle established the foundations for the modern scientific method of enquiry. Statue

Philosophers to Know, Part I

John Locke (1632-1704) English philosopher, regarded as the father of British empiricism author of Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690). His political philosophy exerted considerable influence on the American revolution and French revolution.

The Social Contract and Philosophy

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson speaks in Concord, New Hampshire, on August 25, 2016.

Discover

Battle of the Alamo from "Texas: An Epitome of Texas History from the Filibustering and Revolutionary Eras to the Independence of the Republic, 1897. Texas Revolution, Texas revolt, Texas independence, Texas history.

6 Wars of Independence

Marriage. A couple getting married during a church wedding ceremony. (religion, ceremony, bride, groom)

The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic church

Fish. Lionfish. Lion-fish. Turkey fish. Fire-fish. Red lionfish. Pterois volitans. Venomous fin spines. Coral reefs. Underwater. Ocean. Red lionfish swims by seaweed.

10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish

Entrants falling and tumbling over while chasing the cheese at the 2016 'Cheese Rolling' held at Cooper's Hill, in the Cotswolds, Brockworth England

7 of the World’s Most Dangerous Festivals

African Americans demonstrating for voting rights in front of the White House as police and others watch, March 12, 1965. One sign reads, "We demand the right to vote everywhere." Voting Rights Act, civil rights.

Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement

Illustration for Demystified "How Dangerous is Quicksand"

How Deadly Is Quicksand?

King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)

9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes

Montesquieu: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu
Born	January 18, 1689 • Bordeaux • France
Died	February 10, 1755 (aged 66) • Paris • France
Notable Works	“Persian Letters” • “Reflections on Universal Monarchy in Europe” • “Reflections on the Causes of the Grandeur and Decline of the Romans” • “The Spirit of Laws”
Role In	Enlightenment

Photos

See All Images →

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Swiss-born French philosopher

John Locke

John Locke

English philosopher

Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant

German philosopher

Voltaire

Voltaire

French philosopher and author

portrait of Germaine de Staël

Germaine de Staël

French-Swiss author

Fontenelle, Bernard Le Bovier, sieur de

Bernard Le Bovier, sieur de Fontenelle

French author and scientist

Quinet, oil painting by Sebastien-Melchior Cornu, 1833; in the Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Edgar Quinet

French historian and poet

Tyard, engraving

Pontus de Tyard

French poet

Rivarol, detail of an oil painting by an unknown artist

Antoine Rivaroli, count de Rivarol

French author

Gautier de Metz

French poet

Jules Goncourt

French author

Laure Conan

Canadian author

Elena Văcărescu

Romanian author

Pamphile Lemay

Canadian author

Louis-Alexandre Chatrian

French author

Jérôme Tharaud

French writer

Jean Tharaud

French writer

Edmond Goncourt

French author

Émile Erckmann

French author

Aristotle

Aristotle

Greek philosopher