Locke, John 1632 – 1704
A key thinker of the early Enlightenment, the English Locke was educated at Oxford but read wider than his course, gaining both a BA and a degree in medicine before pursuing a varied career. His Essay Concerning Human Understanding of 1690 challenged Descartes’ views and influenced later thinkers, and he helped pioneer views on toleration and produced views on government which would underpin later thinkers. Locke was forced to flee England for Holland in 1683 because of his links to plots against the king, before returning after William and Mary took the throne.Montesquieu, Charles-Louis Secondat 1689 – 1755
Born into a prominent legal family, Montesquieu was a lawyer and president of the Bordeaux Parlement. He first came to the attention of the Parisian literary world with his satire Persian Letters, which tackled French institutions and the “Orient”, but is best known for Esprit des Lois, or The Spirit of the Laws. Published in 1748, this was an examination of different forms of government which became one of the most widely disseminated works of the Enlightenment, especially after the church added it to their banned list in 1751.Newton, Isaac 1642 – 1727
Although involved in alchemy and theology, it is Newton’s scientific and mathematical achievements for which he is chiefly recognised. The methodology and ideas he set forth in key works like the Principia helped forge a new model for “natural philosophy” which the thinkers of the Enlightenment tried to apply to humanity and society.Quesnay, François 1694 – 1774
A surgeon who eventually ended up working for the French king, Quesnay contributed articles for the Encyclopédie and hosted meetings at his chambers among Diderot and others. His economic works were influential, developing a theory called Physiocracy, which held that land was the source of wealth, a situation requiring a strong monarchy to secure a free market.Raynal, Guillaume-Thomas 1713 - 1796
Originally a priest and personal tutor, Raynal emerged onto the intellectual scene when he published Anecdotes Littéaires in 1750. He came into contact with Diderot and wrote his most famous work, Histoire des deux Indes (History of the East and West Indies), a history of the colonialism of European nations. It has been called a “mouthpiece” of Enlightenment ideas and thought, although the most groundbreaking passages were written by Diderot. It proved so popular across Europe that Raynal left Paris to avoid the publicity, later being temporarily exiled from France.Rousseau, Jean-Jacques 1712 – 1778
Born in Geneva, Rousseau spent the early years of his adult life travelling in poverty, before educating himself and travelling to Paris. Increasingly turning from music to writing, Rousseau formed an association with Diderot and wrote for the Encyclopédie, before winning a prestigious award which pushed him firmly onto the Enlightenment scene. However, he fell out with Diderot and Voltaire and turned away from them in later works. On one occasion Rousseau managed to alienate the major religions, forcing him to flee France. His Du Contrat Social became a major influence during the French Revolution and he has been called a major influence on Romanticism.Turgot, Anne-Robert-Jacques 1727 – 1781
Turgot was something of a rarity among leading figures in the Enlightenment, for he held high office in French government. After beginning his career in the Paris Parlement he became Intendant of Limoges, Navy Minister and Finance Minister. He contributed articles to the Encyclopédie, chiefly on economics, and wrote further works on the subject, but found his position in government weakened by a commitment to free trade in wheat which led to high prices and riots.Voltaire, François-Marie Arouet 1694 – 1778
Voltaire is one of, if not the, most dominant Enlightenment figures, and his death is sometimes cited as the end of the period. The son of a lawyer and educated by Jesuits, Voltaire wrote widely and frequently on many subjects for a long time period, also maintaining correspondence. He was imprisoned early in his career for his satires and spend time exiled in England before a brief period as court historiographer to the French king. After this he continued to travel, finally settling on the Swiss border. He is perhaps best known today for his satire Candide.
