A Biographical Dictionary of Modern Rationalists/Argenson, Rene Louis de Voyer de Paulmy, Marquis d'
Argenson, Rene Louis de Voyer de Paulmy, Marquis d', French statesman. Argensonan and brother of Marc Pierre. B. Oct. 18, 1694. He was Governor of Hainaut 1720-24, State-Councillor 1724-44, and Minister of Foreign Affairs 1744-47. An intimate friend of Voltaire, D'Alembert, and Condillac, he advocated the most advanced humanitarian reforms in government, and was honoured with the acrid hostility of the clergy. His Essais and Memoires sufficiently betray his Deism; and he co-operated in writing the Histoire du droit publique ecclesiastique Français (1727), which was a powerful anti-clerical implement. D. Jan 26, 1757.