Henri Boulainvilliers

Henri de Boulainvilliers (1658–1722) was a French nobleman, historian, writer, and political thinker known for his works on the history of France, philosophy, astrology, and theology. Educated at the College of Juilly, he served in the army until 1697 and developed a theory positing that French nobility descended from Germanic origins while the Third Estate had Celtic roots, influencing later thinkers like Arthur de Gobineau. His key works include 'État de la France' and an early translation of Spinoza's 'Ethics,' with many publications appearing posthumously.[1][2]