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Brief Lives

Volney (1757-1820)

John P. Irish travels the path of a revolutionary mind.

The Enlightenment thinker known as Volney remains an overlooked figure in the history of political philosophy despite his significant contributions. His influence on Enlightenment thought, particularly during the formative years of the United States, underscores the importance of his work. Volney emerged as a prominent leader in the materialistic wing of the deist movement, challenging traditional religious and political structures.

Constantin-François Chassebœuf, later called the Comte de Volney, was born on February 3, 1757, in Craon, a town in the French province of Maine. He was the son of Jacques-René Chassebœuf de Boisgirais, a prominent lawyer, and Jeanne Gigault de la Giraudais, who tragically passed away in 1759 when Volney was only two.

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