François-Xavier-Joseph Droz (31 December 1773 – 9 November 1850) was a French writer known for his reactionary views on ethics, political science, and political economy. Born in Besançon, his family had a strong legal background. Droz’s journey into law took a significant turn when he moved to Paris in 1792, coinciding with major political upheavals including the dethronement of King Louis XVI and the September Massacres. He briefly served in the Army of the Rhine during the war before being discharged for health reasons, after which he joined the école centrale of Besançon.

Droz’s literary career commenced in 1799 with the publication of “Essai sur l’art oratoire.” In 1803, he moved to Paris, mingling with influential figures like Ducis and Cabanis. He gained public attention with his romance “Lina,” a blend of Florian and Werther’s styles. After a stint in the Droits réunis (revenue office), he turned fully to literature in 1814, contributing to various journals and gaining recognition with works like “Essai sur l’art d’être heureux” and “Éloge de Montaigne.”

Droz’s philosophical treatise “De la philosophie morale ou des différents systèmes sur la science de la vie” earned him the Montyon Prize in 1823 and membership in the Académie française in 1824. His later works include “Application de la morale à la politique,” “L’économie politique ou principes de la science des richesses,” and his magnum opus, “Histoire du règne de Louis XVI.” His writings increasingly reflected his religious convictions, culminating in “Pensées sur le christianisme.”

Droz’s influence extended beyond his time, as evidenced by Peter Kropotkin quoting him in his history of the French Revolution, particularly regarding the horrors discovered in the oubliettes of the Bastille. Droz’s legacy lies in his extensive and varied literary contributions, marked by a blend of moral philosophy, political thought, and a growing inclination toward religious reflection.