Montaige Time Line

1533

Born near Bordeaux on the family estate named Montaigne to wealthy merchant and a mother from a wealthy Spanish-Portugese Jewish family from Toulouse.

1539

After six years of being raised by servants who only spoke Latin to him, Montaingne is sent to the college de Guienne in Bordeaux, a highly reputable school at the time.

1546

Sent to the University of Toulouse to study law.

1554

Made counceller in the Bordeaux parliament. Travels to Paris frequently and lives a life of excess.

1565

Marries Francoise de la Chassaigne, the daughter of another Bordeaux parliament member.

1568

His father dies.

1569

Publishes his translation of Raymond Seybond's Theologia naturalis which he had worked on at his father's request.

1571

Retires to Montaigne to a life of study and contemplation. Receives the order of Saint-Michel.

1576

Writes "The Defense of Raymond Seybond."

1580

Publication of the first two volumes of his Essays. He travles to Paris to present a copy to the king and then sets out for Germany and Italy. These travels are described in his Travel Journal.

1581

While in Rome, receives word that he is elected mayor of Bordeaux and returns to France.

1588

Complete edition of the Essays published with the addition of the third volume.

1592

September 13, Montaigne dies at the Chateau de Montaigne.

1595

Mlle. de Gournay and Pierre de Brach publishes the authorized edition of the Essays.