The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

BOURGEOISIE

Bourgeoisie was a name applied to a certain class in France, in contradistinction to the nobility and clergy as well as to the working-classes. It thus included all those who did not belong to the nobility or clergy, and yet occupied an independent position, from financiers and heads of great mercantile establishments at the one end to master tradesmen at the other. It corresponded pretty nearly with the English term 'middle classes.' Etymologically the word refers to the old class of freemen or burgesses residing in towns.
Research Bourgeoisie