Michel de Montaigne

Michel de Montaigne is the author most closely looked at in the book. While there are no main characters there is not another author singled out in the same way as Montainge. In addition to this Montaigne is spoken of many times throughout the book by other authors who cite Montaigne as a source of inspiration. There are even some that will admit that they do not agree with Montaigne's views but use him as a source of inspiration because Montaigne's writing is so effective.

Montaigne is considered the greatest essayist who ever lived. He lives 1533-1592 in France. Montaigne's family is wealthy and Montaigne is doted on by his father. When Montaigne is old enough he is sent to law school and he practices law until he is in his thirties. It is about this time that he retires and moves with his wife to...