Turgot, Anne Robert Jacques

Turgot, Anne Robert Jacques, Baron de l'Aulne (1727-1781), French economist and statesman, born in Paris, and educated at the Sorbonne. After holding several minor posts in the parlement, or legislature, of Paris, he was appointed intendant, or chief executive officer, of the district of Limoges in 1761. Under the influence of the physiocrats, he instituted a number of financial reforms, notably the substitution of a money tax for the corveé, a feudal law requiring the people of the district to contribute free labour for the construction and maintenance of roads.