Written by Stefan Zweig in 1942, “Montaigne” is a biographical essay about the French Renaissance philosopher Michel de Montaigne. Exploring his life, his beliefs, and the parallels between Montaigne’s situation and the events of the 20th century, Zweig weaves one of the most fascinating biographies I have ever read, which can serve as an introduction or as a further study into a brilliant writer and philosopher. This biography is very different from many others I have read in that this is far less, for lack of a better term, dry or a regurgitation of facts and dates, but more as an insight into both Montaigne’s and Zweig’s minds, and touching the reader far more when understanding how deeply Zweig is relating to Montaigne, for they both existed in such tumultuous eras.

A man who deeply struggled and had this internal fire of rebellion at the methods of his school and teachers, this bright child was stuck in an intellectual prison. He started writing after he retired at the ripe old age of 38. Montaigne essentially isolated himself from the world, ‘withdrew’, as Zweig put it, and, like so many of the best authors, truly came into himself and his mind. This biography focuses less on Montaigne’s beliefs than on what it was that gave him those beliefs. Living in an era of so many revolutions and historical, social, and political challenges, Montaigne had an inner freedom that defied the constrictions of his time, despite his suffering, and his philosophy did not entirely belong to any school of thought; like him, it stood alone and withdrawn.

In my opinion, he is far too underrated a philosopher, and it is one of the biggest shame when such a phenomenal mind does not get the deserved recognition. Most bookworms and people interested in philosophy have read or at the very least know the ideas of Plato, Heraclitus, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu, etc, but I feel like not enough respect is given to Montaigne because, as Zweig discusses, his writings are only truly revealed in their brilliance at a certain time and after deep and true hardships, and yet, even without it, one of the best aspects of reading is that the books we read stay with us, and whenever there comes a time for us to connect on level of greater depth with the author and material, the lessons and words resurface. I believe Montaigne is one of the best examples of this. Especially if you have no prior knowledge of Montaigne, I believe this biography will be the spark it takes for a greater exploration, and I highly recommend both this biography.