Jean Baptiste Colbert

Jean Baptiste Colbert was one of the greatest French statesman who during his 20 years service under famous Louis XIV managed to reconstruct the French economy and helped to put the country on the path of the dominant power in Europe.

Born in a merchant family involved in international trade, Colbert seized the office of controller-general in 1664 thanks to his relationship with the Cardinal Mazarin and downfall of the former controller general Fouquet due to embezzlement. Diligent and reliable, Colbert gradually succeeded to take over nearly all the state functions except for the Ministries of War and Foreign Affairs. He created a large database consisting of 50,000 printed books and 1,500 manuscripts of national, legal and financial documents that helped him reforming the state and protect the national interests.

In the next twenty years he managed to stabilize and improve the French economy which had problems with erratic taxation and unorganized economic system. Taxes became less oppressive and farrier distributed with the better control of collection. Colbert is often quoted as saying: „The art of taxation is to pluck the maximum amount of feathers for the minimum amount of hissing”. A proponent of mercantilism, Colbert developed the French trade and industry – he raised the output of manufactures, expanded trade and founded trading companies, set up new permanent industries, and developed communications across France. The result was the influx of large sums into the treasury which supported the lavish lifestyle of the extravagant Louis XIV also known as the Sun King (le Roi-Soleil).

During his service Colbert was able to amass a fortune but he never fell into disgrace with the King. He died in 1683 at the age of 64. His name lives on in the concept of colbertism, an economic theory involving strict state control and protectionism.