Jacques Savary

Jacques Savary (22 September 1622 – 7 October 1690) was a successful French merchant who became a widely recognised expert on questions regarding commerce.

His friend Nicolas Fouquet, the Superintendent of Finances, gave him a contract for collecting the revenues of crown lands.

After Fouquet fell from power, he gained the favor of the Chancellor Pierre Séguier, who charged him with arbitrating in numerous commercial questions.

With a growing reputation, he was asked to assist the commission that revised the laws concerning trade, and had such influence that the ordinance of 1673 was named the "Code Savary".

After the death of Jean-Baptiste Colbert in 1683, the new controller general of finances, Pelletier, ordered him to make an investigation of the financial affairs of the Western crown lands.