Final answer:
The principle of separation of powers is attributed to Baron de Montesquieu, influential on the United States Constitution and a key figure in the philosophy of governmental division into executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle of separation of powers is attributed to Baron de Montesquieu, a French enlightenment writer and jurist. Montesquieu, in his work The Spirit of the Laws published in 1749, advocated for a constitutional system with a division of government functions into three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. He argued this separation was essential to ensure political liberty by preventing any single branch from overreaching its power. This idea of separation of powers had a profound impact on the creation of various constitutional governments around the world, influencing notably the drafters of the United States Constitution.
The answer to the question "To whom is the principle of separation of powers attributed?" is C) Baron de Montesquieu.