About
Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, born in Paris in 1727, was a French statesman and economist. Initially destined for the Church, he turned to the magistracy and became intendant of Limoges (1761-1774), where he implemented fiscal and economic reforms. Appointed Controller-General of Finances by Louis XVI in 1774, he attempted to establish free trade in grain and abolish privileges, but his reforms failed in the face of opposition from the parlements and the nobility. His major work, Reflections on the Formation and Distribution of Wealth, influenced classical economic thought.
* 1727-05-10 — † 1781-03-18
Major works
- Réflexions sur la formation et la distribution des richesses (1770)economic treatise
- Fondation (1756)encyclopedia article
Key milestones
- 1761Appointed intendant of Limoges, a position he held until 1774.
- 1774Becomes Controller-General of Finances under Louis XVI.
- 1776Renvoyé après 20 mois de fonction ; ses réformes sont largement annulées.
Themes
Free tradeTax reformCritique of privilegesEconomic progressRole of the state
Sources: britannica.com · larousse.fr · oll.libertyfund.org