Le Tellier was born in
Paris to a Parisian magistrate, Michel III Le Tellier, and his wife, Claude Chauvelin. In 1640 le Tellier was appointed
Intendant of Justice for the French military stationed in
Piedmont,
Italy. In 1643, owing to his friendship with the head French minister
Cardinal Jules Mazarin, he became
Secretary of State for Military Affairs (known as'' 'Secretary of State for War' ''during that era), and was known as being an efficient administrator. He was active in the troubles associated with the aristocratic
Fronde uprising, remaining loyal to Cardinal Mazarin and to the state. In 1677 he was made
Chancellor of France. One of his major contributions as chancellor included his transformation of the royal army into a considerably larger, more professional force that helped impose the
absolute rule of Louis XIV, helping to ensure France's dominance of Europe. Le Tellier, who despised
Protestantism, was one of those who influenced
Louis XIV to revoke the
Edict of Nantes which had previously provided religious freedoms to them. He further encouraged the persecution of the
Huguenots. He died in
Versailles, 15 days after the revocation had been signed by Louis XIV and himself. Le Tellier also amassed great wealth during his life and left two sons, one being
famous statesman Louvois who also served France as Secretary of State for War, and who ultimately became one of the most powerful officials of the regime under his father's tutelage. Michel's other son
Charles Maurice Le Tellier became the
Archbishop of Reims. Michel le Tellier's correspondence reside within the
Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris. ==Children==