Famous Thinkers, Warriors & Royalty Who Loved Coffee

You’ve probably heard that famous thinkers and rulers drank coffee—but what did they actually drink, how much, and why? From German composers urging others to sip while writing operas about quitting, to French philosophers who swore by it for creativity, the relationship between history’s great minds and coffee is more complex (and bizarre) than you’d think. Here’s the real story, straight from their diaries and letters.

Over a dozen notable figures—from composers and writers to generals and kings—either adored coffee for fueling their work or tried banning it to stop public unrest. Some drank 50 cups a day; others spiked theirs with champagne. And yes, at least one city once outlawed all coffeehouses to prevent riots.

The Composers and Writers Who Drank Coffee—and Wrote About It

German composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) loved coffee so much he urged others to drink it—but then wrote a comic opera, The Coffee Cantata, about a father trying to get his daughter to quit. French writer Honoré de Balzac reportedly consumed vast amounts of coffee, sleeping only from 6 PM to midnight before writing nonstop for 12 hours, fueled by constant coffee. He claimed, “As soon as coffee is in my stomach, my whole body gets warm, my mind lines up like a battalion ready for battle.”

Royalty With Unique Coffee Rituals

French Emperor Napoleon (1769–1821) described coffee’s effect as giving him “a certain warmth and extraordinary strength.” Prussian King Frederick the Great (1712–1785) took it further—drinking his coffee mixed with champagne instead of water. Meanwhile, King Louis XV of France grew his own coffee trees in the palace garden, harvesting six pounds of beans each year for his personal use. He even brewed them himself.

Philosophers, Generals & Diplomats on Coffee

German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) didn’t care for coffee early on, but grew deeply attached to it in later life. British philosopher James Mackintosh believed “a man’s intellect is in proportion to the amount of coffee he drinks.” French diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754–1838) insisted the ideal cup should be “black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love.” Voltaire (1694–1778) drank around 50 cups daily into old age—when told it was poison, he quipped he’d been drinking it for 65 years and was still alive at 84.

Scottish-born U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) preferred a big mug of strong coffee with his breakfast of fresh vinegar, cucumber, and coffee each morning. Enlightenment thinker Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle (1657–1757) lived to 100 and joked with a neighbor that if death had forgotten them, the best move was to stay quiet so it wouldn’t remember. Even French philosopher François-Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire, drank coffee well into his later years.

The Controversial Bans

Not everyone embraced coffee. In 1524, religious authorities in Mecca shut down all coffeehouses to prevent public disorder. Nearly 50 years later, Ottoman Sultan Murad IV (effectively ruling in place of Mehmed IV, sometimes misattributed as Amurat III) banned coffeehouses in Constantinople, equating coffee with alcohol for devout Muslims. Even in Europe, Sweden’s King Gustav III (1746–1792) declared coffee a narcotic and tried to outlaw it—his successors repeated the ban into the 19th century.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Voltaire really drink 50 cups of coffee a day?

Yes, according to historical accounts, the French Enlightenment writer Voltaire consumed around 50 cups of coffee daily well into his later years. When warned that coffee was a slow poison, he reportedly responded that he had been drinking it for 65 years and was still alive at age 84.

What did Balzac say about coffee and writing?

French writer Honoré de Balzac (often referenced as Balzac in English sources) said that as soon as coffee entered his stomach, his body would warm up and his mind would prepare for battle, comparing thoughts to soldiers lining up for combat. He wrote for 12-hour stretches overnight, fueled by continuous coffee.

Which king drank coffee mixed with champagne?

Prussian King Frederick the Great (1712–1785) had the unusual habit of drinking coffee mixed with champagne instead of water, creating a distinctly fizzy, alcoholic coffee brew.

Why did Mecca ban coffee in 1524?

Religious authorities in Mecca shut down all coffeehouses in 1524, fearing they could incite public disorder or unrest, marking one of the earliest attempts to ban coffee.

Did Napoleon like coffee? What did he say about it?

Yes, Napoleon enjoyed coffee and described its effect as giving him “a certain warmth and extraordinary strength,” highlighting how it energized him.

Who grew their own coffee trees in a palace garden?

King Louis XV of France planted coffee trees in his palace garden, harvesting six pounds of beans each year, which he used to personally brew his own coffee.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for History Lovers

Pair your reading with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera, offering bright citrus and floral tones for a light, thought-provoking cup. For a bold, dark roast reminiscent of old-world libraries, try their PWN Golden Mandheling with its deep chocolate and caramel richness. Or explore the Yirgacheffe for vibrant berry notes and a juicy body—perfect for fueling long writing sessions like Balzac’s. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.