Big Books of 2026
Denis Diderot

Denis Diderot’s Followers (573)

member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo

Denis Diderot


Born
in Langres, France
October 05, 1713

Died
July 31, 1784

Genre
Philosophy, Fiction, Social Sciences

Influences
Voltaire, Aristotle, André-Marie Ampère, Jean le Rond d'Alembert, Baru ...more


Work on the Encyclopédie (1751-1772), supreme accomplishment of French philosopher and writer Denis Diderot, epitomized the spirit of thought of Enlightenment; he also wrote novels, plays, critical essays, and brilliant letters to a wide circle of friends and colleagues.

Jean le Rond d'Alembert contributed.

This artistic prominent persona served as best known co-founder, chief editor, and contributor.

He also contributed notably to literature with Jacques le fataliste et son maître (Jacques the Fatalist and his Master), which emulated Laurence Sterne in challenging conventions regarding structure and content, while also examining ideas about free will. Diderot also authored of the known dialogue, Le Neveu de Rameau (Rameau's Nep ...more

Combine Editions

Average rating: 3.66 · 28,047 ratings · 2,013 reviews · 2,433 distinct works • Similar authors
Jacques the Fatalist
3.79 avg rating — 9,674 ratings — published 1796 — 431 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
The Nun
3.75 avg rating — 8,832 ratings — published 1796 — 375 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Le Neveu de Rameau
3.47 avg rating — 1,889 ratings — published 1805 — 367 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Rameau's Nephew / D'Alember...
3.67 avg rating — 1,653 ratings — published 1769 — 23 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Supplément au Voyage de Bou...
3.27 avg rating — 1,532 ratings — published 1773 — 90 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Paradoxe sur le comédien
3.55 avg rating — 476 ratings — published 1820 — 54 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
The Indiscreet Jewels
3.45 avg rating — 394 ratings — published 1748 — 3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Lettre sur les aveugles
3.49 avg rating — 271 ratings — published 1749 — 44 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
This is Not a Story and Oth...
by
3.26 avg rating — 262 ratings — published 1773 — 43 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Histoire de Mme de La Pomme...
by
2.98 avg rating — 213 ratings — 2 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
More books by Denis Diderot…
Quotes by Denis Diderot  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.”
― Denis Diderot
tags: freedom, monarchy, religion
449 likes
Like

“From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.”
― Denis Diderot, Essai sur le mérite et la vertu
tags: barbarism, fanaticism
158 likes
Like

“All things must be examined, debated, investigated without exception and without regard for anyone's feelings.”
― Denis Diderot
tags: integrity, journalism, writing
149 likes
Like

Polls

November 2025 Old School Classics Poll

The Republic of Plato by Plato, -380, 487pp
 
  53 votes, 31.0%

 
  50 votes, 29.2%

 
  26 votes, 15.2%

 
  19 votes, 11.1%

The Nun by Denis Diderot,1796, 240pp
 
  16 votes, 9.4%

 
  7 votes, 4.1%

171 total votes
More...

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
Reading with Style: This topic has been closed to new comments. FA10 Reading Suggestions 30 244 Nov 19, 2010 05:54AM  
Challenge: 50 Books: Lauli's 50 books in 2010 87 317 Dec 30, 2010 05:18PM  
Chicks On Lit: Elizabeth's Reviews 225 297 Jan 23, 2012 07:51AM  
The History Book ...: 7. CATHERINE THE GREAT - CHAPTERS FOURTY-SEVEN - FIFTY-TWO (302 - 362) ~ Aug 20th - Aug 26th; No Spoilers, Please 29 51 Sep 16, 2012 04:21PM  
Reading with Style: This topic has been closed to new comments. Spring 2013 Rws Completed Tasks - Spring 2013 920 141 May 31, 2013 09:03PM  
Book Buying Addic...: April 2014 Purchases 121 188 Apr 30, 2014 06:24AM  
Reading with Style: This topic has been closed to new comments. SP 2014 RwS Completed Tasks - Spring 2014 1052 208 May 31, 2014 09:05PM