1563day.year
Étienne de La Boétie
(1530 - 1563)
French judge and philosopher
French judge and philosopher
French judge and philosopher whose essay on voluntary servitude became a classic of political thought.
Born in Sarlat in 1530, La Boétie earned recognition as a magistrate and humanist writer.
He wrote the 'Discourse on Voluntary Servitude' circa 1548, analyzing why people consent to tyranny.
A close friend of Michel de Montaigne, his works were published posthumously and gained influence across Europe.
His treatise inspired Enlightenment thinkers and remains a foundational text in discussions of freedom.
La Boétie died on August 18, 1563, at the age of 32, leaving a profound intellectual legacy.
1563
Étienne de La Boétie