J.-F. (Jean-François) Payen
Notice bio-bibliographique sur La Boëtie, suivie de La Servitude volontaire
"Notice bio-bibliographique sur La Boëtie, suivie de La Servitude volontaire" by Dr. J. F. Payen is a biographical and literary work written in the mid-19th century. This publication focuses on Étienne de La Boëtie, highlighting his friendship with the philosopher Michel de Montaigne and the significance of his work, "La Servitude volontaire." The text promises to explore La Boëtie's relatively obscure life and contributions, shedding light on his intellectual legacy in the context of 16th-century political thought. The opening of the book sets the stage by emphasizing the scarcity of accurate biographical information on La Boëtie and the motivations behind Payen's work. It reveals that the author initially intended to focus on Montaigne but felt compelled to provide a more detailed account of La Boëtie due to the lack of existing material. Payen outlines La Boëtie's education, his early rise to a legal career, and the deep friendship with Montaigne, which is highlighted as pivotal in understanding both men's contributions to literature and philosophy. Furthermore, Payen mentions the discovery of an authentic manuscript of "La Servitude volontaire," which prompted him to include this work to better evaluate La Boëtie's reputation, underscoring the intertwined fates of these two influential figures.