michel eyquem de montaigne

English - English

Definition of michel eyquem de montaigne in English English dictionary

a French writer of essays (=short pieces of writing giving someone's ideas on particular subjects) who influenced many writers with his informal but careful way of writing (1533-92). born Feb. 28, 1533, Château de Montaigne, near Bordeaux, France died Sept. 23, 1592, Château de Montaigne French courtier and author. Born into the minor nobility, Montaigne received an excellent Classical education (speaking only Latin up to age 6) before studying law and serving as counselor at the Bordeaux Parliament. There he met the lawyer Étienne de La Boétie, with whom he formed an extraordinary friendship; the void left by La Boétie's death in 1563 likely led Montaigne to begin his writing career. He retired to his château in 1571 to work on his Essais (1580, 1588), a series of short prose reflections on many subjects that form one of the most captivating and intimate self-portraits ever written. At once deeply critical of his time and deeply involved in its struggles, he sought understanding through self-examination, which he developed into a description of the human condition and an ethic of authenticity, self-acceptance, and tolerance. Though most of his later years were devoted to writing, he occasionally served as mediator in episodes of religious conflict in his region and beyond, and served as mayor of Bordeaux during the troubled period 1581-85. See also essay

Related Terms

Michel de Montaigne

(1533-1592) French humanist and philosopher

Michel de Montaigne

born Feb. 28, 1533, Château de Montaigne, near Bordeaux, France died Sept. 23, 1592, Château de Montaigne French courtier and author. Born into the minor nobility, Montaigne received an excellent Classical education (speaking only Latin up to age 6) before studying law and serving as counselor at the Bordeaux Parliament. There he met the lawyer Étienne de La Boétie, with whom he formed an extraordinary friendship; the void left by La Boétie's death in 1563 likely led Montaigne to begin his writing career. He retired to his château in 1571 to work on his Essais (1580, 1588), a series of short prose reflections on many subjects that form one of the most captivating and intimate self-portraits ever written. At once deeply critical of his time and deeply involved in its struggles, he sought understanding through self-examination, which he developed into a description of the human condition and an ethic of authenticity, self-acceptance, and tolerance. Though most of his later years were devoted to writing, he occasionally served as mediator in episodes of religious conflict in his region and beyond, and served as mayor of Bordeaux during the troubled period 1581-85. See also essay

Hyphenation

Mi·chel eyquem de Mon·taigne