Who wrote the influential essay "What is the 3rd estate" and argued for the importance of the lower classes?

The influential essay "What is the 3rd estate?" was written by Abbe Sieyes in 1789. In this work, Sieyes argued that the Third Estate, which represented the common people in France, was crucial to the nation’s identity and functioning. He emphasized that the Third Estate comprised the vast majority of the population, contributing to society through labor and taxation, yet it was largely excluded from political power and social privilege.

Sieyes articulated the idea that it was time for the Third Estate to demand their rights and participate actively in the political process, challenging the existing social hierarchy that favored the nobility and clergy. This essay played a significant role in the lead-up to the French Revolution by advocating for the recognition and empowerment of the lower classes, which inspired revolutionary sentiments and actions.

The other figures listed are notable in their own right, but they did not produce this particular essay or express the same foundational arguments regarding the significance of the lower classes in a comparable manner.