Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755–1826) was a French lawyer, politician, and writer best known for his influential work on gastronomy. Born in Belley, he trained in law and served as a magistrate before entering public life during the French Revolution. Political upheaval forced him into exile, including time in the United States, before he returned to France. He later held judicial office and continued to cultivate his lifelong interest in food and dining. His reputation rests chiefly on *Physiologie du goût* (1825), a witty, reflective book blending anecdote, philosophy, and practical observation about taste, appetite, and the pleasures of the table.