Malesherbes, Chrétien-Guillaume de Lamoignon de

(1721-1794)

   political figure

   Born in Paris, the son of Guillaume de lamoignon, chrétien-Guillaume de Lamoignon de Malesherbes served as deputy procurer-general (1741), counselor of state to the parlement of paris (1744), and was named first president of the cour des aides and Director of the Library (1750). in that capacity, he worked to grant freedom of the press, protecting the philosophes and the publication of the Encyclopédie. Opposed to rené de maupeou, he was forced to retire a number of times to pithiviers (1771). Elected to the Académie Française in 1774, he was recalled in 1775, as secretary to the Royal Household and the provinces and attempted some reforms, but had to resign in 1776. A member of the King's Council (1787-88), he helped to gain civil status for Protestants (1787). Emigrating at the beginning of the revolution of 1789, he returned shortly after to give support to the king and defend him before the Convention (Mémoire pour Louis XVI, published after the king's trial). Malesherbes was executed during the terror.