Memoir of the Life of Henri-Francis D'Aguesseau; Chancellor of France, and of his Ordonnances for Consolidating and Amending Certain Portions of the French Law, and an Historical and Literary Account of the Roman and Canon law.

This biography of the pioneering French codifier Henry-Francis D'Aguesseau, the first in English, was written at a time when the English and American legal communities were keenly interested in codification. Indeed, Butler [1750-1832] emphasizes this aspect of his subject's career. D'Aguesseau [1668-1751], a pupil of Jean Domat, served three terms as chancellor of France. He was renowned for his forensic eloquence and was a prolific legal writer. His attempt to codify French law was unsuccessful. This project led to several important reforms, however, especially in such areas as donations, testaments, succession and procedure. He is a prolific writer on legal and ecclesiastical subjects.