Étienne de La Boétie was a French philosopher and writer born in 1530. He is best known for his work "Discours de la servitude volontaire" (Discourse on Voluntary Servitude), where he explores the nature of power and the reasons why people submit to tyranny. La Boétie argues that oppression is maintained not just by force, but by the consent of the governed. A close friend of the famous essayist and statesman Michel de Montaigne, La Boétie's ideas have influenced various political thinkers throughout history. His emphasis on individual freedom and resistance to authority resonates in modern discussions about liberty and democracy. La Boétie died at a young age in 1563, but his thoughts continue to inspire debates on power and governance.