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Signature of Montesquieu

Montesquieu

The handwritten signature of Montesquieu, used to identify his autograph manuscripts and documents.

This is Montesquieu's own handwritten signature, linking him directly to his manuscripts and documents.

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Handwritten cursive signature in dark ink on a white background, reading 'Montesquieu', with long flowing strokes and a looping underline.
Signature of Montesquieu.

About this source

What it is

This is a scanned image of Montesquieu's handwritten signature, reading 'Montesquieu' in flowing cursive ink.

Why it matters

A signature like this allows historians and students to recognize and verify Montesquieu's authentic manuscripts, letters, and legal papers. Signatures are small but important clues that connect a historical figure directly to the physical documents they produced.

Look closer

  • What can the style of handwriting tell you about a person, if anything?
  • Why do historians rely on signatures to confirm a document is genuine?
  • What limits are there to using a signature alone as proof of authorship?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Baron de Montesquieu on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of the first volume of De l'Esprit des loix, printed in Geneva by Barrillot & Fils. Large title in capitals, a decorative emblem with a column and the motto 'EX RECTO DECUS', and handwritten marginal notes in brown ink at top.Book

Primary source

The Spirit of the Laws

Montesquieu · 1748

Title page of a book reading 'LETTRES PERSANES, TOME I', with a central decorative floral ornament, and the imprint 'A COLOGNE, Chez Pierre Marteau, Imprimeur-Libraire, près le Collège des Jésuites' and date 'M. DCC. LIV.'Book

Primary source

Persian Letters

Montesquieu · 1721

De l'esprit des loix (volume III), Amsterdam and Leipzig, 1759Book

Primary source

De l'esprit des loix (volume III), Amsterdam and Leipzig, 1759

Montesquieu · 1759

Title page of a French book: 'Montesquieu. Considérations sur les causes de la grandeur des Romains et de leur décadence', with an introduction and notes by L. Petit de Julleville, huitième édition, published in Paris by Librairie Ch. Delagrave.Book

Primary source

Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and their Decline

Montesquieu · 1734

Title page of the first volume of De l'Esprit des loix, printed in Geneva by Barillot & Fils. Large capitals read DE L'ESPRIT DES LOIX, followed by a subtitle in smaller type, a rule, and TOME PREMIER at the bottom.Document

Primary source

De l'Esprit des loix, Volume 1, Title Page

Montesquieu · 1748-1750

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