Charles Louis de Secondat Montesquieu, also known as simply Montesquieu, was a prominent French philosopher and political thinker of the 18th century. His ideas greatly influenced the development of political theory and the formation of modern democracies. Montesquieu is often referred to as the author of "The Spirit of the Laws," a famous work that examined the relationship between government, law, and individual rights. Other synonyms for Montesquieu include Baron de Montesquieu, Charles de Montesquieu, and Charles Louis de Montesquieu. Regardless of the title, Montesquieu's ideas and contributions to political philosophy remain relevant and significant to this day.