Foucault Estate: The Legacy and Archives of Michel Foucault
The management of the estate of Michel Foucault, the influential French philosopher and historian, provides a compelling look at the intersection of personal loyalty, legal challenges, and the preservation of intellectual history. Following Foucault's death, the responsibility for his archives and unpublished works fell to his long-term partner, Daniel Defert.
The Legal Struggle for Inheritance
At the time of Foucault's passing, the French government had not yet recognized gay couples through civil unions (which arrived in 1999) or marriage (established in 2013). Because Foucault left no official will, the legal transfer of his estate was complex. However, Foucault had written a letter expressing his intention to bequeath his apartment and all its contents—including his personal archive and corrected proofs for an unpublished manuscript—to Defert.
While Foucault's family members respected these wishes and deferred to Defert, the lack of official government recognition had financial consequences. Defert was subjected to significantly higher inheritance taxes than a legally recognized spouse or family member would have faced.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Preserving the Intellectual Corpus
Daniel Defert took an active role in ensuring Foucault's scholarly contributions were preserved and shared. In 1994, Defert co-edited the fourth volume of Dits et Ecrits (Words and Writings) alongside François Ewald, a posthumous collection of Foucault's diverse writings.
The Sale to the National Library
In 2013, Defert sold Foucault's archives to the Bibliothèque nationale de France (France's national library) for €3.8 million (approximately $4.0 million as of May 2022). This move transitioned the materials from private ownership to a public institution, making them accessible to qualified researchers.
The Controversy of Posthumous Publication
Despite Foucault's explicit instructions that no work be published after his death, the family—who hold the literary rights—decided to publish Confessions of the Flesh in 2018. This work serves as the fourth and final volume of Foucault's History of Sexuality.
Defert justified this decision by arguing that once the materials were available to researchers with library credentials, access should be "to everyone or no one." He further noted that several posthumous works had already been released and maintained that this specific manuscript contributed to Foucault's intellectual corpus without encroaching upon his private, intimate life.
Key Facts
- Primary Heir: Daniel Defert, Foucault's partner.
- Archive Sale: Sold to the French national library in 2013 for €3.8 million.
- Major Posthumous Work: Confessions of the Flesh (2018), the final volume of the History of Sexuality.
- Legal Context: Defert faced high inheritance taxes due to the lack of legal recognition for same-sex couples in France at the time.
- Private Boundaries: While intellectual works were published, Defert stated in 2012 that their personal correspondence would remain private.
| Year | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Publication of Dits et Ecrits Vol. 4 | Early posthumous collection of writings. |
| 2013 | Archive sale to National Library | Opened materials to professional researchers. |
| 2018 | Publication of Confessions of the Flesh | Completed the History of Sexuality series. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Michel Foucault leave a formal will?
No, Foucault did not leave an official will, but he did leave a letter stating his wish for Daniel Defert to inherit his apartment and its contents, including his archives.
Why did Daniel Defert pay higher inheritance taxes?
Because the French government did not recognize gay couples through civil unions or marriage until 1999 and 2013 respectively, Defert was not viewed as a legal family member for tax purposes.
Why was 'Confessions of the Flesh' published against Foucault's wishes?
Defert and the family believed that since the archives were already accessible to researchers at the national library, the work should be available to the general public. They viewed it as an intellectual contribution rather than a violation of privacy.
Are Foucault's personal letters available to the public?
No. Daniel Defert stated in 2012 that he intended to keep the personal letters exchanged between himself and Foucault private, taking them "to his grave."