Essayist · 1533 – 1592

Michel de Montaigne

Little-Known Facts

He coined the term 'essai', meaning 'attempt' or 'trial', for his exploratory pieces.
He retired from public life to a tower lined with books to write and reflect.

Are Montaigne's essays about big philosophical systems?

No — he distrusted grand systems, preferring to start from his own experience and ordinary life to reach honest, often sceptical insights.