François-Auguste de Thou (1604–42) was a French magistrate, historian, and bibliophile known for his political involvement during Louis XIII’s reign. He was the eldest son of Jacques-Auguste de Thou, a renowned historian and statesman.
Born in Paris, he inherited his father’s position as Master of the Bookstore (1617,) later serving as a councillor to the Parliament of Paris (1626) and a conseiller d’État. His career included roles as steward of Burgundy (1632–35) and steward of the armies under Cardinal Louis de Nogaret.
Despite his influence, de Thou became entangled in the Cinq-Mars conspiracy (1642,) a plot against Cardinal Richelieu. His silence was interpreted as complicity, leading to his execution in Lyon on September 12, 1642.
A manuscript collector, he preserved rare texts, including the Greek minuscule manuscript Minuscule 601. His historical significance was depicted in Alfred de Vigny’s Cinq-Mars (1826) and Paul Delaroche’s painting The State Barge of Cardinal Richelieu on the Rhône (1829.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Francois Auguste de Thou
After what I owe to God, nothing should be more dear or more sacred than the love and respect I owe to my country.
—Francois Auguste de Thou
Topics: Patriotism
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