Here's why:
* Focus on personal experience and reflection: Montaigne's essays explored his own thoughts, experiences, and observations in a conversational and informal style.
* Subjectivity and exploration of self: His work embraced personal opinions and feelings, breaking from the more formal and objective style of writing prevalent at the time.
* Influence on subsequent writers: Montaigne's essays inspired countless writers, including the English essayists Francis Bacon and William Hazlitt, who further developed and popularized the genre.
While Montaigne played a pivotal role in the development of the personal essay, it's important to acknowledge that the form likely had roots in earlier writings like Seneca's "Moral Letters" or even ancient Greek dialogues. The personal essay, as a distinct genre, evolved through the contributions of many writers over time.