Denis Diderot

Profession: Enlightenment Philosopher

Biography: Denis Diderot was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer who is best known for serving as co-founder, chief editor, and contributor to the "Encyclopédie", one of the most comprehensive encyclopedias of the Enlightenment. His contributions to literature, philosophy, and the arts, as well as his role in the Encyclopédie, made him a significant figure in the intellectual movement of the 18th century.

Diderot's philosophical works were wide-ranging, covering topics from metaphysics to aesthetics. His novel "Jacques the Fatalist" (1796) is considered a seminal work in the tradition of narrative metafiction. His "Letter on the Blind" (1749) is an important early discussion of human perception, and his "Rameau's Nephew" (1805) is a pioneering work in the genre of the philosophical dialogue.

In the realm of art criticism, Diderot's writings on visual art and theater were groundbreaking. His discussions of dramaturgy, acting, and stagecraft in his "Paradoxe sur le comédien" influenced later theatrical theory, and his "Salons," reviews of the biannual art exhibition in Paris, are considered pioneering works of modern art criticism.

Diderot's work on the "Encyclopédie," however, was perhaps his most significant contribution. The project, which involved hundreds of contributors, sought to compile all human knowledge into a single reference work. Despite censorship and other challenges, the "Encyclopédie" was a landmark achievement that spread Enlightenment ideas throughout Europe.

Born: October 5, 1713
Birthplace: Langres, France
Star Sign: Libra

Died: July 31, 1784 (aged 70)
Cause of Death: Pulmonary thrombosis