About
Édouard René Lefebvre de Laboulaye (1811-1883) was a French jurist and professor of comparative law at the Collège de France, where he held the chair of comparative legislation history from 1849 until his death. He was elected deputy in 1871 and life senator in 1875. A keen observer of the United States, he studied its political history and supported the abolitionist cause. He initiated the project for the Statue of Liberty in 1865 and founded the Franco-American Union to fund its construction. He also wrote historical works and political tales.
* 1811-01-18 — † 1883-05-25
Major works
- Histoire politique des États-Unis (1855-1866)historical essay
- Paris en Amérique (1863)philosophical satire
- Le Prince Caniche (1868)political tale
Key milestones
- 1849Appointed professor at the Collège de France, chair of comparative legislation history.
- 1865First proposed the idea of a monument offered by France to the United States, which became the Statue of Liberty.
- 1875Appointed life senator under the Third Republic.
Themes
LibertyAbolition of slaveryAmerican democracyComparative lawPolitical satire
Sources: college-de-france.fr · britannica.com · nps.gov