Facts about Montesquieu

Montesquieu defined three forms of government: republics, monarchies and despotisms, each with a unique structure and each characterized by its own principle.

Montesquieu was completely blind by the time he died from a high fever in 1755.

On his return to France, Montesquieu retired to his estate and devoted himself to writing.

Montesquieu's emphasis on the connection between liberty and the details of criminal law inspired such later legal reformers as Cesare Beccaria.

Montesquieu reviewed all the previous schools of thought without advocating any of them.

Montesquieu wrote The Spirit of the Laws as an explanation of human laws and social institutions.

Montesquieu identified three types of governments: republican governments, which can take either democratic or aristocratic forms; monarchies; and despotisms.

Montesquieu argued that the legislative power alone should have the power to tax, since it could then deprive the executive of funding if the latter attempts to impose its will arbitrarily.

Montesquieu went to Paris in 1722, and was introduced into court society by the duke of Berwick, an exiled Stuart prince whom he had met in Bordeaux.

The principle of democracy is political virtue, by which Montesquieu means "the love of the laws and of our country," including its democratic constitution.

Montesquieu is also known for popularizing the terms "feudalism" and "Byzantine Empire."

Montesquieu held a number of views that might today be judged controversial.

Four months later, Montesquieu departed for Vienna, determined to complete his education by foreign travel.

Montesquieu is famous for articulating the theory of separation of governmental powers into legislative, executive, and judicial.

The authorship of Lettres persanes was soon discovered and Montesquieu became famous.

Montesquieu was not a utopian, either by temperament or conviction.