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Montesquieu
1755Feb, 10

Montesquieu

Montesquieu, French lawyer and philosopher (b. 1689)
Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (; French: [mɔ̃tɛskjø]; 18 January 1689 – 10 February 1755), generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French judge, man of letters, historian, and political philosopher.

He is the principal source of the theory of separation of powers, which is implemented in many constitutions throughout the world. He is also known for doing more than any other author to secure the place of the word "despotism" in the political lexicon. His anonymously published The Spirit of Law (1748), which was received well in both Great Britain and the American colonies, influenced the Founding Fathers of the United States in drafting the U.S. Constitution.

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Events on 1755

  • 15Apr

    A Dictionary of the English Language

    Samuel Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language is published in London.
  • 9Jul

    Battle of the Monongahela

    The Braddock Expedition is soundly defeated by a smaller French and Native American force in its attempt to capture Fort Duquesne in what is now downtown Pittsburgh.
  • 25Jul

    Expulsion of the Acadians

    British governor Charles Lawrence and the Nova Scotia Council order the deportation of the Acadians.
  • 10Aug

    Expulsion of the Acadians

    Under the orders of Charles Lawrence, the British Army begins to forcibly deport the Acadians from Nova Scotia to the Thirteen Colonies.
  • 1Nov

    1755 Lisbon earthquake

    In Portugal, Lisbon is totally devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunami, killing between 60,000 and 90,000 people.