Jean-Baptiste Marie de Piquet, Marquess of Méjanes

Jean-Baptiste Marie de Piquet, Marquess of Méjanes (1729-1786) was a French aristocrat, public servant and book collector.

Early life

Jean-Baptiste Marie de Piquet was born on August 5, 1729 in Arles, France. His father, Guillaume de Piquet (1689-1747), was the Marquess of Méjanes. His mother was Anne Thérèse d'Aubergue (1697-1763). Piquet was educated at the Collège Louis-le-Grand.

Career

Piquet was the Marquess of Méjanes, the Lord of Albaron, and the Lord of Saint Vincent. He served as the First Consul of Arles from 1761 to 1774. Additionally, he served as Arles's Royal Secretary in 1766, and again in 1784. He also served as the First Consul of Aix-en-Provence and State Prosecutor of Provence from 1777 to 1778.

Piquet was a bibliophile and a book collector.

Personal life

His son, Joseph Marie Marc Antoine de Piquet died on August 4, 1760, at only six months and a half years old.

Death and legacy

He died on October 5, 1786 in Paris. In his will, he bequeathed all his books to Provence, i.e. from 60.000 to 80.000 books, should those books be made accessible to ordinary citizens; he also added a yearly income of 5.000 more Tours pounds for Provence. This bequest led to the public library of Aix-en-Provence known as the Bibliothèque Méjanes. Meanwhile, his bust, designed by Jean-Antoine Houdon, is displayed in the library.