Maximilien Sully

Sully was appointed Superintendent of Finances by Henry IV. He implemented reforms to reduce corruption, increase revenue, and pay off the royal debt, restoring France's financial stability after the Wars of Religion.

Sully introduced the Paulette, an annual tax that allowed officeholders to bequeath their positions. This stabilized royal finances and created a hereditary bureaucracy, but also entrenched venality of office.

Sully oversaw the construction of the Canal de Briare, linking the Loire and Seine rivers. This canal facilitated trade and transport, boosting the French economy and serving as a model for future canal projects.

Sully published his memoirs, the Royal Economies, detailing his financial reforms and service under Henry IV. The work became a key source for understanding French state-building in the early 17th century.