TED-Ed: The controversial origins of the Encyclopedia - Addison Anderson

Denis Diderot, after being imprisoned for his controversial writings, embarked on creating the first comprehensive encyclopedia with Jean Le Rond D'alembert. This monumental work, involving numerous contributors like Rousseau and Voltaire, faced significant challenges, including censorship from the French monarchy and the Catholic Church. Despite these obstacles, the encyclopedia became a cornerstone of the Enlightenment, challenging traditional authority and promoting independent reasoning. It left a lasting legacy on the dissemination of knowledge and the cultural landscape of France.

How did Diderot adapt Francis Bacon's classification of knowledge?

What was the reaction of Louis XV and Pope Clement XIII to the encyclopedia?

What challenges did Diderot face during the publication of the encyclopedia?