Étienne de La Boétie (common French pronunciation: [etjɛn də la bɔeˈsi]; pronounced [bwaˈti] or [bɔeˈti] in local Périgord dialect[1]; November 1, 1530 – August 18, 1563) was a French judge, writer, political philosopher and friend of Montaigne, author of the Discourse on Voluntary Servitude (Discours de la servitude volontaire). Born in Sarlat, Dordogne, he served with Montaigne in the Bordeaux parlement and is immortalized in Montaigne's essay on friendship. La Boétie’s writings include a few sonnets, translations from the classics, and an essay attacking absolute monarchy and tyranny in general, Discours de la servitude volontaire ou le Contr'un (Discourse on Voluntary Servitude, or the Anti-Dictator).