 |
Jacques Necker
Born: Geneva, Switzerland September 30th, 1732 Death: Coppet, April 9th, 1804 Vocation: banker, economist, Director-general of France Accomplishments:Writing the Compte rendu au roi, Allegiance:France Jacques Necker was born in Geneva Switzerland. His father was a professor of law. In 1747 he went to Paris and became a bank clerk. In time, Necker became a partner in the bank and entered into other partnerships. He became very wealthy in make loans to the French government and speculating in grain. After writing essays attacking the free trade policies of Turgot he was made director general of finances in 1776. He did develop rules for loaning money and try to make some taxes more fair. He supported money going to support the American Revolution. He tried to control France's debt by using loans and high interest rates. In 1781 he published a record of the French government's income and expenses called the Compte rendu au roi. Even though the publication was not entirely truthful, it did get the people thinking public finances for the first time. Many, including Queen Antoinette, where unhappy with him though and he was dismissed in 1881. |