Origins & Early Life

Claude-Frédéric Bastiat (; French: [klod fʁedeʁik bastja]; 30 June 1801 – 24 December 1850) was a French economist, writer, and prominent member of the French liberal school. A member of the French National Assembly, Bastiat developed the economic concept of opportunity cost and introduced the parable of the broken window. He was described as "the most brilliant economic journalist who ever lived" by economic theorist Joseph Schumpeter. As an advocate of classical economics and the economics of Adam Smith, his views favored a free market and influenced the Austrian School.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He is best known for his book The Law, where he argued that law must protect rights such as private property, not "plunder" others' property. Bastiat was born on 29 June 1801 in Bayonne, Gascony (Aquitaine), a port town in the south of France on the Bay of Biscay. His grandfather Pierre Bastiat (1742–1825) had come to trade in Bayonne from the inland town of Mugron in the wine-growing region of Chalosse and the Landes department, married Bastiat's grandmother Catherine Laulhé (also from the Chalosse) in 1770. Having armed a frigate at his own expense for the War of the Pyrenees in 1793 to improve...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Antoine de Rivarol — Contemporary (Died in 1801) (1801): French royalist writer and translator active during the tumultuous Revolutionary era.
• Benedict Arnold — Contemporary (Died in 1801) (1801): American-born British officer known for service in the Revolutionary War and subsequent treason.
• Brigham Young — Contemporary (Born in 1801) (1801): Second President of the LDS Church and Governor of Utah Territory.
• Adalbert Gyrowetz — Contemporary (Died in 1850) (1850): Czech-Austrian composer known for symphonies and string quartets.
• Adam Oehlenschläger — Contemporary (Died in 1850) (1850): Pioneering Danish Romantic poet and playwright who shaped national literature.
• Báb — Contemporary (Died in 1850) (1850): Founding figure of Bábism, precursor to the Baháʼí Faith.
• Assia Djebar — Shared historical date (06-30 · Born) (1936): Pioneering Algerian feminist novelist celebrated for chronicling women's experiences.
• Charles VIII of France — Shared historical date (06-30 · Born) (1470): King of France who secured the Duchy of Brittany and conquered the Italian Peninsula.
• Adam Mickiewicz — Shared historical date (12-24 · Born) (1798): National Poet of Poland, Romantic master, and leading voice of Slavic literature.
• Alban Berg — Shared historical date (12-24 · Died) (1935): Key figure of the Second Viennese School, blending Romanticism with twelve-tone technique.
• 1801 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1801
• June 30 (06-30) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 30
• 1850 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1850
• December 24 (12-24) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 24