Benjamin (1767–1830), a celebrated French political writer, was born at Geneva, where his father, who had been a general officer in the Dutch service, lived in retirement. For some time the younger Constant held a situation at the court of Brunswick; but at the outbreak of the French revolution he went to Paris, and being descended from an exiled French family he claimed the privileges of a French citizen. At this time he published several small political tracts containing his views on the character of the existing governments, one in support of the Directory, and a second in condemnation of the Reign of Terror. Under the First Consul Constant became a member of the tribunate, but his systematic opposition to the measures of the consular government procured his expulsion from Paris along with Madame de Staël. Returning to Paris for a short time he afterwards repaired to Göttingen, where he wrote his History of the Different Modes of Worship, and Constantia a tragedy entitled Wolstein. At the restoration he again appeared at Paris as the advocate of the Bourbons, and denounced Napoleon on his escape from Elba. He had the meanness, however, to accept from Napoleon the title of councillor of state, and afterwards to employ his pen in rousing the nation to rally round the Emperor. He retired from Paris for a short time after the restoration of Louis XVIII., and on his return he joined the constitutional opposition, and obtained a seat in the Chamber of Deputies. He wrote in Le Mercure, and was conjoint editor of La Minerve for several years before his death.