Origins & Early Life

François Quesnay (; French: [fʁɑ̃swa kɛnɛ]; 4 June 1694 – 16 December 1774) was a French economist and physician of the Physiocratic school. He is known for publishing the "Tableau économique" (Economic Table) in 1758, which provided the foundations of the ideas of the Physiocrats. This was perhaps the first work attempting to describe the workings of the economy in an analytical way, and as such can be viewed as one of the first important contributions to economic thought. His Le Despotisme de la Chine, written in 1767, describes Chinese politics and society, and his own political support for enlightened despotism.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Quesnay was born at Méré near Versailles, the son of an advocate and small landed proprietor. Apprenticed at the age of sixteen to a surgeon, he soon went to Paris, studied medicine and surgery there, and, having qualified as a master-surgeon, settled down to practice at Mantes. In 1737 he was appointed perpetual secretary of the academy of surgery founded by François Gigot de la Peyronie, and became surgeon in ordinary to King Louis XV. In 1744 he graduated as a doctor of medicine; he became the physician in ordinary to the king, and afterwards his first consulting...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Francesco Morosini — Contemporary (Died in 1694) (1694): Doge of Venice during the Great Turkish War, a prominent military leader.
• Francis Hutcheson (philosopher) — Contemporary (Born in 1694) (1694): Key figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, known for moral sense theory and aesthetics.
• Matsuo Bashō — Contemporary (Died in 1694) (1694): Master poet of the Edo period, renowned for haiku and travel literature.
• Caspar David Friedrich — Contemporary (Born in 1774) (1774): Pioneering German Romantic landscape painter known for sublime, spiritual depictions of nature.
• Elizabeth Ann Seton — Contemporary (Born in 1774) (1774): Pioneering American Catholic educator and founder of the parochial school system.
• Francis Beaufort — Contemporary (Born in 1774) (1774): Irish hydrographer and naval officer known for the Beaufort scale and cipher.
• Angelina Jolie — Shared historical date (06-04 · Born) (1975): Acclaimed American actress, filmmaker, and dedicated global humanitarian.
• Antonio José de Sucre — Shared historical date (06-04 · Died) (1830): Venezuelan general and politician, key leader in South America's struggle for independence.
• Afonso de Albuquerque — Shared historical date (12-16 · Died) (1515): Portuguese general and conquistador who built the Asian Portuguese Empire.
• Anthony Barber — Shared historical date (12-16 · Died) (2005): British Conservative politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1970-1974)
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