Although he showed up only a few minutes in RoV, he was actually the person who understood the financial situation of the Royal family right before the French Revolution.
At 15, he was the clerk of Swiss Bank of Issac Vernet. At 18, he was sent to the Paris branch. He became a millionaire by assumed the sole direction of the bank in 1765.
On October 1776, he was appointed to be the Director of French Royal Treasury. The only director without a noble position. Necker’s policy was public confidence and loans. He believed if people gained sufficient confidence in him and France they would subscribe to loans. Then it would help balance the budget. Necker publicized his loans well. Besides, he believed manufacturing would save the country. He had policies to cut the government spending that allowed the government to reduce taxation at one time. The commoners liked him because he used loans instead of increase tax. However, he faced significant political opposition from Duc d’Orlean, and even Louis XVI’s brother Artois. He eventually resigned.
Louis XVI reappointed Necker in 1787 . Necker lent French government 2 millions of his own and got an advance 75 millions from businessmen and bankers. Once again, Necker faced the political pressure because his policy was on the people side instead of the monarchy. Eventually, Louis XVI let Necker go once again in 1788. People at that time, feared their bread and job would be scarcer.
On Louis XVI’s trial, Necker spoke for Louis XVI: Although Louis XVI sometimes followed bad advises, he had the compassion for the people, and a gentle, merciful, moderate character. We should agree his mistakes and sympathize with his weakness. But that did not save Louis XVI’s life.
He left France eventually and escaped the possible destiny of being gullotined during The Reign of Terror.