Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu, generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French social commentator and political thinker who lived during the Enlightenment. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, which is taken for granted in modern discussions of government and implemented in many constitutions throughout the world. He was largely responsible for the popularization of the terms "feudalism" and "Byzantine Empire."
These works are seminal to political theory. Anyone interested in political science or philosophy should read The Spirit of the Laws and The Social Contract. I am qualified to teach High School Social Studies but am a substitute teacher instead (over qualified) and it is remarkable that government teachers have not read these works! That's malpractice as far as I'm concerned.