Widely considered to be the first essayist.

"While the essay became a respectable form, its novelty was in its celebration of the self. Its reason for being was the belief that the thoughts, feelings, uncertainties, certitudes, and contradictions of a person merited statement then attention from others. Experience of the doubting self became more intriguing than the fervency of belief". - Daniel Boorstin

"...so fresh and personal and inventive, we see that its originality lies largely in its vocabulary which... has its novelty in its metaphorical values..." - Havelock Ellis