Joseph de Maistre

Joseph de Maistre (1753–1821) was a Savoyard philosopher, diplomat, and political thinker known for his counter-revolutionary defense of monarchy and Catholic authority in the aftermath of the French Revolution. Born in Chambéry in the Duchy of Savoy, he served the Kingdom of Sardinia in public office and later as its envoy to Russia, spending many years in St. Petersburg. His writings argue that social order rests on tradition, providence, and religious foundations, and they criticize Enlightenment rationalism and revolutionary politics. Major works include *Considerations on France* (1796) and *St. Petersburg Dialogues* (1821).