Jean-baptiste colbert show

French statesman (1619–1683)

For his son, see Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert (French:[ʒɑ̃.ba.tistkɔl.bɛʁ]; 29 August 1619 – 6 September 1683) was a French statesman who served as First Minister of State from 1661 until his death in 1683 under the rule of King Louis XIV.

His lasting impact on the organization of the country's politics and markets, known as Colbertism, a doctrine often characterized as a variant of mercantilism, earned him the nickname le Grand Colbert ([ləɡʁɑ̃kɔl.bɛʁ]; "the Great Colbert").

A native of Reims, he was appointed Intendant of Finances on 4 May 1661. Colbert took over as Controller-General of Finances, a newly created position, in the aftermath of the arrest of Nicolas Fouquet for embezzlement, an event that led to the abolishment of the office of Superintendent of Finances.

He worked to develop the domestic economy by raising tariffs and encouraging major public works pr