Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Comptroller-General of Finances under Louis XIV, held almost all of the great offices of state over the course of his career. Considered an accomplished manager, he was responsible for developing trade, industry and the merchant navy, modernising Paris, and backing new advances in the sciences.
Jean-Baptiste Colbert presided over the economic policy of France under Louis XIV from 1661 to his death in 1683. Colbert believed in the Mercantilist doctrine that the expansion of commerce (and the maintenance of a favorable balance of trade) was the key to State wealth.
In a mercantilist age Colbert was the supreme mercantilist. His program was to build up the economic strength of France by creating and protecting French industries, encouraging exports, and restricting imports (especially of luxury goods).
Colbert devoted endless energy to the reorganization of industry and commerce. He believed that in order to increase French power it would be essential to increase France's share of international trade and in particular to reduce the commercial hegemony of the Dutch.
Jean-baptiste Name Meaning French: from the personal name, a compound of Jean (see John) and Baptiste. This saint's name was especially frequent as a secondary surname in French Canada.
Illness
| Jean-Baptiste Colbert | |
|---|---|
| Cause of Death: | Illness |
| Birthplace: | Reims, France |
| Originally From: | France |
| Religion: | Roman Catholic |
tist kɔl. bɛʁ]; 29 August 1619 – 6 September 1683) was a French statesman who served as First Minister of State from 1661 until his death in 1683 under the rule of King Louis XIV….Jean-Baptiste Colbert.
| Jean-Baptiste Colbert Lord of Vandières and Cernay | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | French |
| Spouse(s) | Marie Charron ( m. 1648–1683) |