Sully, Maximilien de Béthune, duke de

Sully, Maximilien de Béthune, duke de

(born Dec. 13, 1560, Mantes, France—died Dec. 22, 1641, Villebon) French statesman. Son of a French Huguenot noble, he was sent to the court of Henry of Navarra (later Henry IV). He fought in the Wars of Religion and helped negotiate the Peace of Savoy (1601). As superintendent of finances from 1598, he instituted reforms in taxation and administration. A trusted agent to the king, he was rewarded with royal offices and created duke de Sully in 1606. He promoted a system of national improvements, encouraged agriculture, and strengthened the military. His political role ended with Henry's assassination (1610), and he resigned in 1611.