Jean-Baptiste de Tillier
The secretary of the Estates who wrote the history of the duchy of Aosta
Historians of the Aosta Valley still cite an 18th-century author: Jean-Baptiste de Tillier. Born in Aosta in 1678 and dying in 1744, he spent his life among the archives of the duchy. From them he produced a history of his region that is still a standard reference.
A good education
De Tillier received a sound education. He took an early interest in history, law and letters. All three run through his work.
Secretary of the Estates
His career was spent in the administration of the duchy of Aosta. He became secretary of the Estates of the duchy, the assembly that represented the country. The post gave him access to the archives and official documents. There he found the material for his research.
The Historique de la Vallée d’Aoste
His main work is the Historique de la Vallée d’Aoste. It is the fruit of several decades of work. The book traces the history of the region from its origins to the 18th century, based on the documents that passed through his hands. Historians still consult it today.
A look at the institutions
De Tillier does not confine himself to battles and princes. He also describes how the duchy worked, its institutions and its families. For today’s reader, his book thus gives an idea of Aosta Valley society in his time.
A source for those who came after
Many studies of the history of the Aosta Valley have drawn on his work. Nearly three centuries after his death, his name remains linked to the valley’s written memory. In Aosta, a street is named after him.
