Theophraste Renaudot, 17th century French physician, philanthropist, and journalist, 1882-1884.Artist: Tamisier

Theophraste Renaudot, 17th century French physician, philanthropist, and journalist, 1882-1884. A protege of Cardinal Richelieu, Renaudot (1586-1653) became physician to King Louis XIII of France. In 1631, with Richelieu's support, he began publishing La Gazette, the first weekly newspaper in France. In 1637 he opended the first pawnshop in Paris and in 1640 was appointed 'General Overseer of the Poor' by Richelieu, initiating a system of free medical consultations for the poor. After the deaths of Richelieu and Louis XIII, opposition from academic physicians caused him to lose his right to practice medicine in Paris, but he was appointed historiographer to the new King of France, Louis XIV. A print from La France et les Français à Travers les Siècles, Volume II, F Roy editor, A Challamel, Saint-Antoine, 1882-1884. (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)