Baron d’Holbach

Date of Birth: December 8, 1723

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: January 21, 1789

Biography

Paul-Henri Thiry, Baron d’Holbach, was a French-German author, philosopher, encyclopedist, and prominent figure of the French Enlightenment. Born in Edesheim, Germany, he later became a naturalized French citizen. D’Holbach is best known for his atheistic and materialistic philosophy, which he articulated in numerous works, most notably “The System of Nature” (1770). His Parisian salon became a hub for Enlightenment thinkers, including Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire. Through his writings and intellectual gatherings, d’Holbach profoundly influenced the development of secular and scientific thought in the 18th century.

5 Interesting Facts about Baron d’Holbach

1. D’Holbach’s real name was Paul Heinrich Dietrich, but he is better known by his French title.

2. He contributed extensively to Denis Diderot’s “Encyclopédie,” writing articles on chemistry and mineralogy.

3. D’Holbach’s salon in Paris was a meeting place for many key Enlightenment figures and was known for its free-thinking discussions.

4. He was a vocal critic of religion, which often put him at odds with the authorities of his time.

5. Despite his controversial views, d’Holbach was a generous patron of the arts and sciences, supporting various intellectual endeavors.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Baron d’Holbach

1. “If we go back to the beginning, we shall find that ignorance and fear created the gods, that fancy, enthusiasm, or deceit adorned them, that weakness worships them, that credulity preserves them, and that custom, respect, and tyranny support them.”

2. “Religion diverts us from the causes of evil and from the remedies which nature prescribes; far from curing, it only aggravates and perpetuates our sufferings.”

3. “All children are born atheists; they have no idea of God.”

4. “Nature tells us that man is a being who should be free and that his happiness depends upon his liberty.”

5. “The universe is but the assemblage of all the beings and all the modifications of matter.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures are not available due to the historical context, Baron d’Holbach was considered wealthy by the standards of his time, enabling him to support many Enlightenment thinkers and maintain an influential salon.