Jacques Necker

Profession: Finance Minister

Nationality:

Biography: Jacques Necker was a French statesman of Swiss birth who played a significant role before and during the early stages of the French Revolution. He is best known for his service as the Director-General of Finance under King Louis XVI and for his attempts to reform the financial system of France, which was then in a state of crisis.

Necker was born in Switzerland but initially made his mark as a banker in Paris, achieving considerable success. His financial acumen led to his appointment as the Director-General of Finance in 1776.

Despite being a Protestant in a predominantly Catholic country and a commoner in a court dominated by nobles, Necker gained popularity, particularly among the Third Estate (the common people), due to his efforts to reform the government's financial practices.

One of Necker's key contributions was his push for greater transparency in government finances. He published the Compte rendu au roi ("Report to the King") in 1781, which made public the state of French finances, revealing a significant deficit. This controversial move was an early step towards financial accountability and transparency.

Necker's tenure was marked by efforts to reduce government expenditure and to implement reforms to improve France's financial situation without imposing additional taxes on the common people. He advocated for reducing the privileges of the nobility and clergy and for more equitable taxation. His proposals, however, often met resistance from the privileged classes and factions within the government.

His dismissal in 1789, largely due to his reformist stance and his popularity among the Third Estate, is often cited as one of the factors that ignited the storming of the Bastille, which marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Necker was recalled shortly after the Bastille fell, a testament to his popularity and perceived ability.

Despite his efforts, Necker was unable to prevent the worsening financial crisis and was dismissed again in 1790. He retired from political life and spent his remaining years writing on financial and political topics.

Born: September 30, 1732
Birthplace: Geneva, Switzerland
Star Sign: Libra

Died: April 9, 1804 (aged 71)