Jean Villemain | |
|---|---|
 19th-century engraving of Jean Nicot (1530-1600) | |
| France Ambassador to Portugal | |
| In office 1559–1571 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1530 Nîmes, France |
| Died | 4 May 1604 (aged 73–74)[1] Paris, France |
Jean Nicot de Villemain (French: [ʒɑ̃ niko də vilmɛ̃]; 1530 – 4 May 1604)[1] was a French diplomat and scholar. He is famous for being the first to bring tobacco to France, including snuff tobacco. Nicotine is named after the tobacco plant Nicotiana tabacum, which in turn is named after Jean Nicot de Villemain, who sent tobacco and seeds to Paris in 1560, presented it to the King Francis II,[2] and who promoted their medicinal use. Smoking was believed to protect against illness, particularly the plague.[2]
- ^ a b "Célébrations nationales 2004 - Jean Nicot, sieur de Villemain". www2.culture.gouv.fr.
- ^ a b Dale MM, Ritter JM, Fowler RJ, Rang HP. Rang & Dale's Pharmacology (6th ed.). Churchill Livingstone. p. 598. ISBN 978-0-8089-2354-1.