Étienne Pasquier (1529-1615), born in Paris, was a humanist jurist and historian. We was called to the Paris bar in 1549, but become ill in 1558 after eating a plate of poisonous mushrooms. During his two year recovery, he pursued literary work and in 1560 published the first book in his Recherches de la France, an historical account of France. He became famous in 1564 when he appeared against the Jesuits who wished to become part of the University of Paris and won. He was appointed Advocate General of the Chambre des Comptes (Court of Accounts) by Henry III in 1585 and deputy at the Estates-General in Blois in 1588. He continued his work with the Chambre des Comptes until his retirement in 1603.