Alexis de Tocqueville

French political scientist, historian and politician, best known for "Democracy in America," 4 vol, 1835-40, a perceptive analysis of the U.S. political and social system in the early 19th century.

Diminutive in stature, acutely sensitive and plagued by severe bouts of anxiety and illness since childhood, Tocqueville remained close to his parents through his life, though outwardly proud and cold. He found it difficult to form deep and lasting relationships but was skilled in his influence of those close to him in small groups. As a youth, he became a lawyer in 1835 and moved easily into government service as the son of a royalist and a peer of France.

The July Revolution of 1830 that put the citizen king Louis-Philippe of Orleans on the throne was a turning point, convincing Tocqueville that France was moving toward social equality. He and his friend Beaumont made a journey to America to study the prison system and reforms, 1831-32. Hailed for his writings as a political scientist, he found the following years prestigious and happy.

In 1835, he married an Englishwoman, Mary Mottely. Returning to France, he continued to write, and entered politics by winning public election in 1839 to the Chamber of Deputies. From then on, he won every election by a wide majority, though his career in public office was generally mediocre.

The Revolution of February 1848 brought about an improvement of his political situation. In 1850 he was named President of the Assembly. Briefly imprisoned for opposing Louis-Napoleon's coup d'etat on 2 December 1851, he was deprived of all political offices for refusing his oath to the new regime.

Returning to his Norman estate and to writing, Tocqueville's new book, "The Old Regime and the Revolution" in 1856 made him, once again, a public figure. He died in 1859 just at the onset of a revival of liberalism in France and his reputation in the 19th century reached its high point during the decade following his death.