Malesherbes, Chrétien-Guillaume de Lamoignon de (1721-1794)

French politician.

Son of the chancellor, Guillaume de Lamoignon. Conseiller au parlement. Succeeded his father as président de la Cour des aides (c. 1751-71).

Friend of the philosophes. As Directeur de la Librairie, he facilitated the publication of the Encyclopédie.

Went into exile after Louis XV suppressed the parlements and the cour des aides (1771).

Recalled by Louis XVI. Appointed Ministère de la maison du roi et de Paris (1775-76). Ministre d’état (1787-88).

Franklin first met him during his trip to Paris (1769). Later a member of Franklin’s social circle in France, he came to consider him a particular friend.

Published Mémoire sur le mariage des protestants (1785). Victim of the terror.

Born in Paris.