What is Jacques Necker known for?

Jacques Necker was finance minister to King Louis XVI of France, known for making French finances public with his Compte Rendu au Roi (Report to the King) and for overseeing the meeting of the Estates-General, the opening event of the French Revolution.

Why was Jacques Necker's appointment to the king's ministry scandalous?

Jacques Necker's appointment was scandalous because he was a Protestant commoner.

Why did Jacques Necker fall from power?

Jacques Necker fell from power three times: the first in 1781 for insisting to be put on the royal council; the second in 1789 for granting concessions to the National Assembly; the third in 1790 for opposing the assignat, France's new currency.

Jacques Necker

Server Costs Fundraiser 2024

Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.

$3926 / $18000

❤ Donate

Definition

Jacques Necker (l. 1732-1804) was a Swiss banker and statesman who served as finance minister to King Louis XVI of France (r. 1774-1792). He served in the king's ministry three separate times, tasked with navigating France through its dire financial crisis. Initially popular amongst the common people, Necker played a significant role in the outset of the French Revolution (1789-1799).

More about: Jacques Necker

Timeline

1732 - 1804
Life of Jacques Necker, finance minister to King Louis XVI of France.
1781
Jacques Necker, French Director of Finance, publishes the Compte rendu au roi, the first record of royal finances ever made public.
11 Jul 1789
Jacques Necker, popular Chief Minister of France, is fired from King Louis XVI's cabinet for a second time and ordered into exile.