Denis Diderot

5 October 1713 – 31 July 1784

Denis Diderot (1713-1784) was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer, best known as co-founder and chief editor of the Encyclopedie, the landmark reference work of the Enlightenment. Over more than two decades he shepherded the project through censorship and suppression while also writing novels, plays, and pioneering art criticism. Works such as Rameau's Nephew and Jacques the Fatalist, mostly published posthumously, secured his literary reputation.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Denis Diderot.

Life events

Born in Langres, Champagne, France
5 October 1713

Denis Diderot was born the son of a master cutler in the provincial town of Langres.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Paris
1732

After Jesuit schooling in Langres, Diderot completed his master of arts in philosophy in Paris in 1732.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Antoinette Champion
November 1743

In 1743 Diderot secretly married the devout seamstress Antoinette Champion against his father's wishes.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became co-editor of the Encyclopedie
1747

In 1747 Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert took charge of the Encyclopedie, transforming a translation project into the great compendium of Enlightenment knowledge.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Imprisoned at the Chateau de Vincennes for his Letter on the Blind
July 1749 – November 1749

Diderot spent several months in 1749 imprisoned at Vincennes after publishing the materialist Lettre sur les aveugles.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published the first volume of the Encyclopedie
1751 – 1772

The first volume appeared in 1751; Diderot continued editing through censorship battles until the final volumes of plates were completed in 1772.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Began writing art criticism of the Paris Salons for the Correspondance litteraire
1759

From 1759 Diderot reviewed the biennial Salon exhibitions, effectively founding modern art criticism.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Sold his library to Empress Catherine the Great of Russia
1765

In 1765 Catherine II bought Diderot's library, left it in his keeping, and paid him a salary as its librarian, relieving his financial worries.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Visited Catherine the Great in Saint Petersburg
October 1773 – March 1774

Diderot spent about five months from October 1773 to March 1774 at the Russian court, meeting almost daily with the empress.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Paris
31 July 1784

Diderot died on 31 July 1784 and was buried in the Eglise Saint-Roch in Paris.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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