1530day.year
Étienne de La Boétie
(1530 - 1563)
French philosopher and judge
French philosopher and judge
Étienne de La Boétie was a French judge and political philosopher, celebrated for his essay 'Discourse on Voluntary Servitude'. He was a close friend of Michel de Montaigne.
Born in 1530 in Sarlat, La Boétie studied law and theology at the University of Orléans. He served as a magistrate in his hometown and gained a reputation for integrity and learning. Around 1548, he penned the 'Discourse on Voluntary Servitude', exploring the nature of tyranny and obedience. The essay critiqued arbitrary power and championed personal freedom, influencing later political thought. La Boétie's friendship with Michel de Montaigne helped disseminate his ideas across Europe. He died in 1563 at the age of 33, but his works endured as a foundation for modern theories of resistance and liberty.
1530
Étienne de La Boétie