Rene Descartes By Chris Eagle Mar 31, 1596 Rene Descartes was born Period: Mar 31, 1596 to Feb 11, 1650 Descarte's life Mar 18, 1597 Rene's mother dies Sep 8, 1606 Rene enrolls in Jesuit College Jul 19, 1618 Began a career in law Apr 16, 1620 Ended his law career to persue his philosophical inquiries Period: Jun 25, 1621 to Feb 11, 1650 Descartes career as a philosopher