Merchants, Landlords, Magistrates

The narrative unfolds through a collection of father-to-son letters that reveal the impact of institutions and cultural norms on 18th-century French society. Robert Forster reconstructs the family biography of the Deponts of La Rochelle across four generations, offering insights into economic, religious, and legal institutions, as well as the mentality of provincial notables. The story explores the dynamics of Parisian high finance and salon society, culminating in the challenges faced by a socially mobile family during the transformative period of the French Revolution.