Jean-Baptiste Colbert ("the Great Colbert").
A native of Reims, he was appointed Intendant of Finances on 4 May 1661. Colbert took over as Controller-General of Finances, a newly elevated position, in the aftermath of the arrest of Nicolas Fouquet for embezzlement, an event that led to the abolishment of the office of Superintendent of Finances. He worked to develop the domestic economy by raising tariffs and encouraging major public works projects, as well as to ensure that the French East India Company had access to foreign markets, so that they could always obtain coffee, cotton, dyewoods, fur, pepper and sugar. He acted to create a favorable balance of trade and increase colonial holdings. As there was slavery in the colonies, in 1682, Colbert commissioned the beginning of a project that would become the Code Noir two years after his death in 1683. In addition, he founded France's merchant navy (marine marchande) becoming Secretary of State of the Navy in 1669.
His effective market reforms included the foundation of the Manufacture royale de glaces de miroirs in 1665 to supplant the importation of Venetian glass, which was forbidden in 1672 as soon as the national glass manufacturing industry was on sound footing. Also encouraging the technical expertise of Flemish cloth manufacturing in France, he founded royal tapestry works at Gobelins and supported those at Beauvais. He issued more than 150 edicts to regulate the guilds. The Académie des sciences was founded in 1666 at his suggestion; he was a member of the Académie française from 1 March 1667 to his death, where he occupied the 24th seat, to which Jean de La Fontaine would be elected after his passing. His son Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay (1651–1690), succeeded him as Navy Secretary.
Sol turns thousands of years of human wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions into a totally unique personality profile. To get your own profile, check compatibility with friends and much more, download the Sol App today.
Some of their strengths
Jean-Baptiste Colbert has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Passionate, Curious, Charismatic, Sophisticated, Kind, Perceptive, and Smart.
Smart and Sophisticated
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Jean-Baptiste Colbert is someone who is a smart, sophisticated, and organized person who displays kindness and grace in every day interactions, and who also has a passionate soul. A person who is charismatic and resourceful.
Warm and Caring
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Jean-Baptiste Colbert well know them as someone who can be warm, caring, and compassionate, like a lamp or torch.
Methodical and Exacting
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Jean-Baptiste Colbert as someone who is careful, methodical, and a perfectionist.
A person who forms successful business partnerships, who appreciates the variety the world has to offer, who takes a frugal approach to life and tends to be a workaholic, and who engages in things that let them express their opinion.
Charismatic and Instinctual
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Jean-Baptiste Colbert is someone who handles stress better than most people, and who tends to have a powerful charisma and convictions.
They are also someone who is charismatic, compassionate, and understanding, and who is interested in expressing themselves through writing, public speaking, or teaching.
Altruistic and Purposeful
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Jean-Baptiste Colbert tends to be someone who has a desire to be of service to a higher calling and who is always trying to perfect things. Who can be practical and polished, reserved and methodical, and who tends to trust internal judgment before trusting anyone else at face value.
Some of Jean-Baptiste Colbert's challenges
While Jean-Baptiste Colbert has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Jean-Baptiste Colbert can be Sensitive, Difficult, Perfectionist, Short-tempered, Impulsive, Critical, and Non-confrontational.
Difficult and Perfectionist
One of Jean-Baptiste Colbert's key challenges is that they are someone who can be difficult and too much of a perfectionist.
Sensitive and Critical
Jean-Baptiste Colbert is someone who can be insecure, critical, and pessimistic, who can have difficulty relaxing, can be possessive and jealous, and who can have difficulty listening to others' opinions and perspectives and make hasty decisions.
Critical and Bossy
Finally, Jean-Baptiste Colbert also can be too focused on the small details of life, try to control whatever is happening, and be finicky and demanding.
