French lawyer, philosopher and politician (1750–1832)
Nicolas Bergasse (; born 24 January 1750 in Lyon – died 28 May 1832 in Paris) was a French lawyer, philosopher, and politician, whose activity was mainly carried out during the beginning of the French Revolution during its early Monarchiens phase.
Life.
After studying philosophy and law, Bergasse became a lawyer at the Parlement of Paris. He was very interested in the Enlightenment and in particular meeting Sieyès and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In 1781, he became a disciple of Franz Mesmer, and published in 1784 a systemization of Mesmerism titled "Considérations sur le magnetisme animal". In the Kornmann case, his quarrel with Beaumarchais made him a famous personality.
In 1789, he was elected Deputy of the Estates-General and become an important face of the Monarchiens Party. During the French Revolution, he created a particular political and constitutional thought inspired by the British and American models and develops a theory of the sovereignty of universal reason. He delivered an important report to the National Assembly on the organization of justice. He survived the Reign of Terror, but stopped active policy.
During the Bourbon Restoration, he published "Essay on the law "and "Essay on the Property", as a result of which he ran into problems with the authorities. He died in Paris in 1832, aged 82.
Works.
Publications about the Animal Magnetism of Franz Mesmer:
Publications about the Kornmann case (1786-1789):
Publications during the French Revolution and the Bourbon Restoration:
Other publications