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Samuel von Pufendorf | |
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 Engraving by Joseph de Montalegre of Samuel von Pufendorf, 1706 | |
| Born | Samuel Pufendorf 8 January 1632 |
| Died | 26 October 1694 (aged 62) Berlin, Margraviate of Brandenburg, Holy Roman Empire |
| Nationality | German |
| Education | University of Leipzig University of Jena |
| Era | 17th-century philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy |
| School | Natural law |
| Institutions | University of Heidelberg University of Lund |
Main interests | Jurisprudence, political philosophy, economics and history |
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Samuel Freiherr von Pufendorf (8 January 1632 – 26 October 1694) was a German jurist, political philosopher, economist and historian. He was born Samuel Pufendorf and ennobled in 1694; he was made a baron by Charles XI of Sweden a few months before his death at age 62. Among his achievements are his commentaries and revisions of the natural law theories of Thomas Hobbes and Hugo Grotius.
His political concepts are part of the cultural background of the American Revolution. Pufendorf is seen as an important precursor of Enlightenment in Germany. He was involved in constant quarrels with clerical circles and frequently had to defend himself against accusations of heresy, despite holding largely traditional Christian views on matters of dogma and doctrine.[1]