Jacques Necker

Necker was appointed Director General of Finances by Louis XVI. As a Protestant and banker, he was not given the title of Controller-General but effectively managed France's finances during a fiscal crisis.

Necker published the Compte Rendu, a public summary of the royal finances that showed a surplus. The report boosted his popularity but was later criticized for omitting the true extent of the deficit.

Necker was dismissed by Louis XVI on July 11, 1789, after advocating for the Third Estate in the Estates-General. His dismissal sparked public outrage and contributed to the storming of the Bastille three days later.

After the fall of the Bastille, Necker was recalled by Louis XVI to calm the revolutionary fervor. He attempted to stabilize the economy but was unable to control the radicalization of the Revolution.

Necker resigned as finance minister in 1790, disillusioned with the direction of the Revolution. He retired to Switzerland, where he wrote memoirs defending his policies.