Considérations sur le magnétisme animal, published in 1784, marked the formal entry of Nicolas Bergasse into the intellectual circles of late eighteenth-century France. A multifaceted thinker who navigated the volatile intersections of law, philosophy, and politics, he emerged as a notable voice during the initial phases of the French Revolution while simultaneously pursuing a lifelong interest in metaphysical inquiry.
Professional Beginnings and Enlightenment Influence
Born in Lyon in 1750, Bergasse established himself as a lawyer at the Parlement of Paris following comprehensive studies in law and philosophy. His intellectual development was shaped by early exposure to the Enlightenment, including direct engagements with Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès. By 1781, he became a devoted follower of Franz Mesmer, subsequently authoring a systemized account of mesmerism. His profile grew significantly through the Kornmann case, a protracted legal and public dispute against Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais that concluded late in the decade.
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In 1789, Bergasse was elected deputy to the Estates-General and later served as a member of the National Constituent Assembly. He became a prominent representative of the Monarchiens, a political faction that advocated for a constitutional model influenced by British and American precedents. During his tenure, he articulated a unique theory centered on the sovereignty of universal reason and delivered a significant report regarding the structural organization of the judiciary. His formal political involvement ceased as the revolutionary climate intensified, though he remained in France throughout the Reign of Terror.
Later Works and Philosophical Legacy
Following the Bourbon Restoration, Bergasse returned to his focus on legal and social theory. He authored Essai sur la loi, la souveraineté et la liberté de la presse in 1817 and Essai sur la propriété in 1821. These contributions eventually brought him into conflict with contemporary authorities. Throughout his career, he maintained memberships in diverse organizations, including the Society of the Friends of the Blacks and the Society of Universal Harmony. He remained an active writer and jurist until his death in Paris in 1832 at the age of 82.
Fast facts
- Born: 1750, Lyon
- Died: 1832, Paris
- Primary Occupations: Lawyer, philosopher, politician
- Political Party: Monarchiens
- Key Legal Case: Kornmann case
- Citizenship: France
- Honorary Title: Honorary State Councillor
Questions readers ask
What political movement did Nicolas Bergasse support?
He was a key figure within the Monarchiens party, supporting constitutional ideas based on British and American political models.
Was he involved in scientific inquiry?
Yes, he was a disciple of Franz Mesmer and published works on animal magnetism, though he also authored an earlier letter arguing against the existence of such magnetism.
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