(024496) Coleman, Dorothy Gabe. Montaigne's Essais. London: Allen & Unwin, 1987. 1st Edition. Hardcover. 8vo. 194 pages. Fine in Fine DJ. Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (1533-1592) , a French writer, is considered by many the creator of the personal essay. Montaigne's essays reveal his independent mind and sound judgment, his charm and wit, and his wealth of experience in life and literature. The most original aspect of the essays was Montaigne's goal to make himself the subject matter of his writings. He first began publishing his essays in 1580, adding to them as life and experience provided him with new insights and understanding. He wrote a total of 107 essays, including the long "Apology for Raymond Sebond" with its famous skeptical motto, "What do I know?". ISBN: 0048000728 (Montaigne, Michel D, Essais)