Background
Le Tellier was born in Paris to a Parisian magistrate and his wife.
Le Tellier was born in Paris to a Parisian magistrate and his wife.
He entered the public service and became maître des requêtes, (a higher level lawyer, or "procureur") in 1631 for Louis XIII of France. In 1640 le Tellier was appointed Intendant of Justice for the French military stationed in Piedmont, Italy. He was active in the troubles associated with the aristocratic Fronde uprising, remaining loyal to Cardinal Mazarin and to the state.
In 1677 he was made Chancellor of France.
One of his major contributions as chancellor included his transformation of the royal army into a considerably larger, more professional force that helped impose the absolute rule of Louis XIV, helping to ensure France"s dominance of Europe. As Chancellor, he also reestablished, in April 1679, the teaching of Civil Law at the University of Paris after Pope Honorius III had prohibited it on May 11, 1219.
He died in Versailles, 15 days after the revocation had been signed by Louis XIV and himself. Le Tellier also amassed great wealth during his life and left two sons, one being famous statesman Louvois who also served France as Secretary of State for War, and who ultimately became one of the most powerful officials of the regime under his father"s tutelage.
Michel"s other son Charles Maurice Le Tellier became the Archbishop of Reims.
Michel le Tellier"s correspondence reside within the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris.