Denis Diderot

Date of Birth: October 5, 1713

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: July 31, 1784

Biography

Denis Diderot was a prominent French philosopher, art critic, and writer, best known as the co-founder, chief editor, and contributor to the “Encyclopédie,” one of the most comprehensive encyclopedias of the Enlightenment period. Born in Langres, France, Diderot initially pursued a path towards the clergy, but his interests soon turned to philosophy and literature. His works covered a wide range of topics, including science, politics, and religion, and he was known for his critical and often controversial views. Diderot’s “Encyclopédie,” co-edited with Jean le Rond d’Alembert, aimed to encapsulate and disseminate the vast knowledge of the time. It played a critical role in spreading Enlightenment ideas and was instrumental in promoting intellectual freedom and secularism. Besides his editorial achievements, Diderot wrote numerous essays, plays, and novels, including “Le Neveu de Rameau” and “Jacques le Fataliste et son Maître.” Despite facing censorship and opposition from religious and political authorities, Diderot’s work significantly influenced the intellectual landscape of his time. He was an advocate for freedom of expression and human rights, and his contributions continue to be celebrated in the realms of philosophy and literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Denis Diderot

1. Denis Diderot spent over 25 years working on the “Encyclopédie,” which consisted of 28 volumes and included contributions from many leading intellectuals of the Enlightenment.

2. He was imprisoned for three months in 1749 for his anti-religious views expressed in his work “Letter on the Blind.”

3. Diderot was a close friend of the famous philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, although they later had a falling out.

4. He was invited by Catherine the Great of Russia to her court in Saint Petersburg, where he spent several months advising her on library collections and educational reforms.

5. Diderot’s daughter, Angélique Diderot, was the only one of his children to survive to adulthood.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Denis Diderot

1. “Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.”

2. “There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge… observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation collects facts; reflection combines them; experimentation verifies the result of that combination.”

3. “We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.”

4. “The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.”

5. “Skepticism is the first step towards truth.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Denis Diderot did not amass significant wealth during his lifetime, and his highest net worth is not well-documented. His financial situation was often precarious, and he relied on patronage, such as that from Catherine the Great, for support.

Children

Denis Diderot had one surviving child, Angélique Diderot, who was born in 1753. She went on to marry Abel Caroillon de Vandeul, and their correspondence provides valuable insights into Diderot’s personal life and thoughts.