France is well known for its world-class cuisine, art, and music, so it’s no surprise that the country has also produced many influential figures whose ideas, passions, and politics have left a permanent mark on societies around the globe. Read on to learn more about some of the most famous French figures who changed the world.
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778)
The Enlightenment took place in Europe during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau was one of the most prominent philosophers of the movement. Not only did his ideas about individual freedoms and direct democracy lay the groundwork for the French Revolution, they also inspired political movements all over the world. Rousseau’s work, The Social Contract and Émile, focuses on how education can promote civil responsibility, a philosophy that continues to this day.
- Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821)
Known as one of the world’s greatest military leaders, Napoleon Bonaparte is famous for crowning himself the first emperor of France in 1804. He held that title until 1815, expanding France’s territory across much of Europe. However, Napoleon’s most significant contribution to society could be his Napoleonic Code, which established laws based on merit rather than birthright.
- Victor Hugo (1802–1885)
Author of both Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Victor Hugo used his literary talents to give a voice to the oppressed and to fight for social justice. Although written more than 100 years ago, Les Misérables still captivates audiences worldwide through its numerous adaptations, including the celebrated musical of the same name.
- Marie Curie (1867–1934)
Although she was born in Poland, Marie Curie spent most of her life and career in France. A pioneering scientist, she was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different fields— physics and chemistry. Curie’s passion for the sciences and tireless research on radioactivity helped advance cancer treatment, making her an inspiration to women and men in the STEM fields even today.
- Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986)
The author of The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir was a revolutionary figure who critiqued the belief that women were second-class citizens who were not worthy of the same rights as men. Her work and philosophy set the stage for the second-wave feminist movement that began in the 1960s. de Beuvoir is recognized today as a fundamental figure in women’s activism and gender equality.
- Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970)
A key figure in twentieth-century French and global politics, Charles de Gaulle was a military officer when Nazi Germany invaded France in 1940. He refused to accept the armistice that the French government made with Germany and fled to England. From there, he led the Free French Forces, becoming the head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic at the end of World War II. He will always be remembered for his unwavering belief in French independence and his vision for democracy.
By Kelli Drummer-Avendano
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