Turgot, Anne Robert Jacques. A distinguished French statesman and economist. Born in Paris in 1727. From 1774 to 1776, comptroller-general of France under Louis XVI. By his enlightened measures Turgot did much during his brief period of office to ameliorate the condition of the people and to reform the revenue. But Turgot was driven from power by a combination of the privileged classes, to whom his schemes were odious. The last years of his life were devoted chiefly to literary pursuits. His "Life" was written by Condoret. Turgot died in 1781.