HOTMAN, FRANÇOIS. - Jurist, b. in Parigi on 23 Aug. 1524, d. in Basilea on 12 Feb. 1590. Having embraced the “Reformation” in 1547, he withdrew to Ginevra; in 1556 he accompanied Calvino to the Diet of Francoforte.
He taught law at Strasburgo, Valenza, and Bourges, and advocated the need to base legal science upon the study of history. After the night of St. Bartholomew he took refuge in Ginevra, where he taught Roman law, and later in Basilea. He belonged to the group of Reformed monarchomachs, but, although taking part in all the struggles of the Huguenots, in his writings he attached no importance to religious motives. In his Franco-Gallia (Ginevra 1573), drawing inspiration from the history of France, he denies the absolute power of kings and affirms the supremacy of the Estates General.