Michel de Montaigne was born in 1533 in France, raised Catholic by his noble father. He served as Bordeaux magistrate and later became mayor of the city. Montaigne wrote his Essais between 1572 and 1592, adding material in margins
Essays consist of three books and 107 chapters published in 1580. Written in Middle French to record character traits and humours. Montaigne edited essays from 1570 to 1592, adding passages in different stages
Essays translated by Charles Cotton and edited by William Carew Hazlitt in 1877. Collection contains 16 essays on various topics from philosophy to politics. Essays form magazine for Bacon and Shakespeare's minds. Montaigne's essays diverted ancient thought into new channels
Montaigne grew up speaking Latin and reading classical authors at home. He wrote three books of Essays between 1580 and 1595. His work shows continuous revision and enrichment of his text. He was a Catholic nobleman who served as Mayor of Bordeaux
Montaigne's Essays form a magazine for Bacon and Shakespeare. His work influenced contemporaries through its frankness and originality. Essays show how minds operate and relate to external objects. Montaigne wrote without necessity, seeking to reveal his true nature