Who is Jean Baptiste Colbert?
(Show more) Jean-Baptiste Colbert, (born August 29, 1619, Reims, France—died September 6, 1683, Paris), French statesman who served as comptroller general of finance (1665–83) and secretary of state for the navy (1668–83) under King Louis XIV of France.
What is Colbert's nationality?
Colbert's father and grandfather were merchants in his birthplace of Reims, France. He claimed to have Scottish ancestry. A general (but unconfirmed) belief exists that he spent his early youth at a Jesuit college, working for a Parisian banker; as well as working for the father of Jean Chapelain.
What is the full name of the brothers of Colbert?
...ynes (born Colbert), Jean-baptiste Antoine Colbert, Unknown Charron De Menars, Louise Henruette De Beauvilliers (born Colbert), Antoine M... ... Jacques Nicolas Colbert, Henriette Louise Colbert, Antoine-martin Colbert, Jules Armand Colbert, Marie Anne De Rochechouard-mortemart (n...
How did Colbert become a politician?
Colbert was born of a merchant family. After holding various administrative posts, his great opportunity came in 1651, when Cardinal Mazarin, the dominant political figure in France, was forced to leave Paris and take refuge in a provincial city—an episode in the Fronde, a period (1648–53) of struggle between the crown and the French parlement.
See more

When did Jean-Baptiste Colbert live?
August 29, 1619 – September 6, 1683Jean-Baptiste Colbert / Years of LivingJean-Baptiste Colbert, (born August 29, 1619, Reims, France—died September 6, 1683, Paris), French statesman who served as comptroller general of finance (1665–83) and secretary of state for the navy (1668–83) under King Louis XIV of France.
Who was Jean-Baptiste Colbert and why was he important?
Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Comptroller-General of Finances under Louis XIV, held almost all of the great offices of state over the course of his career. Considered an accomplished manager, he was responsible for developing trade, industry and the merchant navy, modernising Paris, and backing new advances in the sciences.
Where is Jean-Baptiste Colbert from?
Reims, FranceJean-Baptiste Colbert / Place of birth
Who was Jean-Baptiste Colbert and what theory did he believe in?
Jean-Baptiste Colbert presided over the economic policy of France under Louis XIV from 1661 to his death in 1683. Colbert believed in the Mercantilist doctrine that the expansion of commerce (and the maintenance of a favorable balance of trade) was the key to State wealth.
Where did Jean-Baptiste Colbert live?
Champagne-ArdenneJean-Baptiste Colbert / Places lived
How do you pronounce Jean Baptiste?
0:070:55How to Pronounce Jean-Baptiste? (CORRECTLY) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFest-noz france france origins aura aux usa in french jean baptiste de pictou baptiste il était filsMoreFest-noz france france origins aura aux usa in french jean baptiste de pictou baptiste il était fils idrissa hélène ce doux dingue c'est.
Who was Colbert in France?
Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619–1683) 1655. In addition to being an important painter of religious subjects, Champaigne gave a face to many key players in the elaborate state machine of Louis XIV's France. In 1661, Colbert entered the young king's service and was eventually appointed minister of finance.
Who was Jean Baptiste in glee?
Skylar AstinJean Baptiste is a character from Glee. He debuted in Season Five's episode "City of Angels". He is the lead singer of Throat Explosion. He was portrayed by Skylar Astin.
Who was the first intendant in New France?
Jean TalonJean Talon was a determined, energetic, and imaginative servant of the king and his minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Jean Talon, intendant of New France from 1665 to 1668. Talon conducted Canada's first colonial census between 1665 and 1666....Jean Talon.Published OnlineJanuary 21, 2008Last EditedJanuary 26, 2022Jan 21, 2008
Who created the five great farms?
Colbert, Jean-Baptiste (1619–1683) | Encyclopedia.com.
How did Spain lose some of its power?
Spain experienced its greatest territorial losses during the early 19th century, when its colonies in the Americas began fighting their wars of independence. By the year 1900 Spain had also lost its colonies in the Caribbean and Pacific, and it was left with only its African possessions.
How did Jean-Baptiste Colbert contribute to increasing Louis XIV royal revenue?
Colbert's most successful years were from 1661 to 1672. The neglect and corruption of the Mazarin period were replaced by a time of prosperity with expanding industry and mounting employment. The tax system was made slightly fairer and much more efficient, thereby greatly increasing Louis XIV's revenues.
Who was Jean Baptiste Colbert?
(Show more) Full Article. Jean-Baptiste Colbert, (born August 29, 1619, Reims, France—died September 6, 1683, Paris), French statesman who served as comptroller general of finance (1665–83) and secretary of state for the navy (1668–83) under King Louis XIV of France. He carried out the program of economic ...
Who recommended Colbert to Louis XIV?
On his deathbed, Mazarin recommended him to Louis XIV, who soon gave Colbert his confidence. Thenceforth Colbert dedicated his enormous capacity for work to serving the king both in his private affairs and in the general administration of the kingdom.
Why did Colbert destroy Fouquet's reputation?
Colbert destroyed Fouquet’s reputation with the king, revealing irregularities in his accounts and denouncing the financial operations by which Fouquet had enriched himself. The latter’s fate was sealed when he made the mistake of receiving the king at his magnificent chateau at Vaux-le-Vicomte; the Lucullan festivities, displaying how much wealth Fouquet had amassed at the expense of the state, infuriated Louis. The king subsequently had him arrested. The criminal proceedings against him lasted three years and excited great public interest. Colbert, without any rightful standing in the case, interfered in the trial and made it his personal affair because he wanted to succeed Fouquet as finance minister. The trial itself was a parody of justice. Fouquet was sent to prison, where he spent the remaining 15 years of his life. The surintendance was replaced by a council of finance, of which Colbert became the dominant member with the title of intendant until, in 1665, he became comptroller general.
Why did Colbert's system of control be resented?
Colbert’s system of control was resented by traders and contractors, who wanted to preserve their freedom of action and to be responsible to themselves alone. Cautious and thrifty people, moreover, still preferred the old outlets for their money (land, annuities, moneylending) to investing in industry.
What did Mazarin do to help Colbert?
When Mazarin returned to power, he made Colbert his personal assistant and helped him purchase profitable appointments for both himself and his family. Colbert became wealthy; he also acquired the barony of Seignelay. On his deathbed, Mazarin recommended him to Louis XIV, who soon gave Colbert his confidence.
Jean Baptiste Colbert
The French statesman Jean Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683) was one of the greatest ministers of Louis XIV and is generally regarded as the creator of the economic system of prerevolutionary France.
Colbert, Jean Baptiste
Colbert, Jean Baptiste (1619–83) French statesman, the principal exponent of mercantilism. He came to prominence as an adviser to Cardinal Mazarin.
Further Reading on Jean Baptiste Colbert
Most of the work on Colbert is in French. The definitive work in English is Charles Woolsey Cole, Colbert and a Century of French Mercantilism (2 vols., 1939). A useful general treatment is in Pierre Goubert, Louis XIV and Twenty Million Frenchmen (1966; trans. 1970).
Additional Biography Sources
Murat, Ines, Colbert, Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1984.
More information
Colbert's father, Nicolas Colbert, operated as a clothier in his birthplace of Reims, France. He claimed to have Scottish ancestry. A general (but unconfirmed) belief exists that he spent his early youth at a Jesuit college, working for a Parisian banker, as well as working for the father of Jean Chapelain.
Geographical origins
The map below shows the places where the ancestors of the famous person lived.
