Montaigne

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

MICHEL. SEIGNEUR, a French essayist; born in Château of Montaigne, Dordogne, France, Feb. 28, 1533. He was taught Latin from his cradle, and till he was six years of age was not permitted to hear any other language. He was then sent to the college of Guienne, at Bordeaux, where he remained seven years, having in that time gone through the whole college course. In 1554 he was appointed a judge in the Parliament of Bordeaux. In 1569 he married. During the civil wars he lived in retirement on his own estate. In 1580-1581 he traveled in Germany visited Rome, and was presented to the , Switzerland, and Italy, Pope. He was elected mayor of Bor deaux; and he held that office four years. The pestilence and the war of the League drove him from his château in 1586; and he did not return for two years. It was during this period that his friendship with Marie de Gournay began. She was attracted to him by his writings; Montaigne called her his adopted daughter. Montaigne's "Essays" (1588) rank among the few great books of the world. They have been translated into almost all languages. During the last few years of his life he suffered from most painful diseases, but he would have nothing to do with doctors or drugs. He died Sept. 13, 1592. (mông-tä-long-. MONTALEMBERT bār'), CHARLES FORBES RENE, COMTE DE, a French publicist; born in London, England, May 29, 1810. His father was a French émigré, his mother English. Till 1819 Montalembert's education was carried on in England; but it was concluded in Paris. At the age of Vol. VI-Cyc-S 20 he enthusiastically supported Lamennais and Lacordaire in their movement to promote liberty within the Church until "L'Avenir" (The Future), the organ of the movement, was condemned by an encyclical letter from the Pope. In 1835 he took his seat in the chamber of peers, and his ability soon made him famous. After the revolution of 1848 he was elected a member of the National Assembly. He was at first inclined to support Napoleon III., but was soon alienated by the policy of that emperor. Of his numerous writings the chief are: "Monks of the West" (1860-1868); "Life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary" (1836); and "Political Future of England" (1855); "From St. Benedict to St. Bernard" (1895). He died in Paris, France, March 13, 1870.