Michel de Montaigne
1533–1592 · French (Bordeaux) · French Renaissance
Known for: Invented the personal essay and proved that writing about yourself is the most honest form of philosophy
Michel de Montaigne invented the essay (from 'essai' — attempt) and in doing so created a new literary-philosophical form. His Essays cover everything from cannibals to kidney stones with radical honesty, skepticism, and self-awareness. He asked 'What do I know?' (Que sais-je?) and spent 20 years trying to answer it.
He served as Mayor of Bordeaux and survived the French Wars of Religion by being respected by both Catholics and Protestants.
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