| Charles Montesquieu |
Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (18
January 1689 – 10 February 1755), generally referred to as simply
Montesquieu, was a French social commentator and political thinker who
lived during the Enlightenment. He is famous for his articulation of the
theory of separation of powers, which is taken for granted in modern
discussions of government and implemented in many constitutions
throughout the world.
Montesquieu was also highly regarded in the British colonies in North
America. According to Donald Lutz, Montesquieu was the most frequently
quoted authority on government and politics in colonial pre-revolutionary
British America, cited more by the American founders than any source except
for the Bible. Following the American revolution, Montesquieu's work
remained a powerful influence on many of the American founding fathers,
most notably James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution".
Montesquieu's philosophy that "government should be set up so that no man
need be afraid of another" reinforced the founding fathers concept that a free
and stable foundation for their new national government required a clearly
defined and balanced separation of powers.
January 1689 – 10 February 1755), generally referred to as simply
Montesquieu, was a French social commentator and political thinker who
lived during the Enlightenment. He is famous for his articulation of the
theory of separation of powers, which is taken for granted in modern
discussions of government and implemented in many constitutions
throughout the world.
Montesquieu was also highly regarded in the British colonies in North
America. According to Donald Lutz, Montesquieu was the most frequently
quoted authority on government and politics in colonial pre-revolutionary
British America, cited more by the American founders than any source except
for the Bible. Following the American revolution, Montesquieu's work
remained a powerful influence on many of the American founding fathers,
most notably James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution".
Montesquieu's philosophy that "government should be set up so that no man
need be afraid of another" reinforced the founding fathers concept that a free
and stable foundation for their new national government required a clearly
defined and balanced separation of powers.