Jacques Auguste de Thou
A French magistrate whose monumental history of his own time became a foundational text for European scholarship and intellectual freedom.
1553–1617 (age 64)·French historian·Birthday: October 8
Biography
Jacques Auguste de Thou was born into the Parisian legal elite and navigated the treacherous religious wars of 16th-century France as a high-ranking judge. His true legacy, however, was built in his library. A voracious collector, he amassed one of Europe's greatest private collections of books and manuscripts. This scholarly passion fueled his life's work: the 'Historia sui temporis,' a vast Latin history of his age written with a deliberate aim for impartiality. While his judicial career placed him at the heart of power, de Thou used his position to advocate for religious tolerance, a stance that saw his great history placed on the Catholic Church's Index of Forbidden Books. He bequeathed his legendary library to posterity, ensuring his role as a guardian of knowledge endured long after the political intrigues of his day faded.
#1 When Jacques Was Born
The biggest hits of 1553
Jacques's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1553Born
1558Started school
1566Became a teenager
1569Could drive
1571Could vote
1574Turned 21
1583Turned 30
1593Turned 40
1603Turned 50
1613Turned 60
1617Died at 64
Key Achievements
- Authored the monumental 'Historia sui temporis,' a multi-volume history of late 16th and early 17th century Europe.
- Built the 'Bibliothèque de Thou,' one of the most celebrated private libraries of the Renaissance.
- Served as President of the Parlement of Paris, a key judicial and political role in the French monarchy.
- Was a central figure in the Republic of Letters, maintaining a vast network of correspondence with European intellectuals.
Did You Know?
His personal library contained over 8,000 printed books and 1,000 manuscripts at his death.
He helped arrange the marriage of the philosopher and essayist Michel de Montaigne's daughter.
Despite his Catholic faith, his history was condemned by the Church for its Gallican and moderate views.
He was a close friend and correspondent of the English scientist and writer Francis Bacon.
“I write not for praise, but to leave a true record for future ages.”
