C F VolneyConstantin-Francois Chasseboeuf de La Giraudais, comte de Volney, was a French philosopher, historian, orientalist, abolitionist, and politician. He was born on February 3, 1757, in Craon, France, to parents whose names are not widely recorded. Educaed in philosophy and history, he became known for his intellectual curiosity and his deep engagement with social and political thought during a period of great upheaval in France. As a young man, he attended Madame Helvetius's salon in Paris, where he met Benjamin Franklin during the American War of Independence, a connection that influenced his belief in liberty and reform. Volney traveled extensively through the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Egypt, experiences that shaped his later works, including his notable publication Travels through Syria and Egypt. A committed advocate for freedom and equality, he opposed slavery and promoted rational inquiry grounded in natural law. Throughout his life, he remained a prominent voice for enlightenment ideals. He died in Paris on April 25, 1829, at the age of seventy-two. Read More Read Less