(John Baptist), marquis of Signelais, reputed the greatest statesman France ever produced. He was prime minister to Lewis XIV.; and was equally renowned in every department of his extensive administration. The polite arts, commerce, and manufactures, stood indebted to him for some signal advantage every year of his ministry. His attention to the marine service was no less conspicuous; for he built arsenals at Marneilles, Toulon, Brest and Rochefort, which he kept well provided with naval and military stores. The regulations he effected in the courts of judicature, and in the finances, completed his character, and rendered it much more renowned than that of Sully, because his views were more extensive. He died in 1683, aged 64. The house of Colbert has produced several eminent men in the church, the army, and the cabinet of France.