Dennis Diderot (1713-1784)

This French philosopher was one of the most original thinkers of his time. He is best known for his "Encyclopedie", twenty-eight voluumes which were printed in forty-three editions, the most important publication of the century. It had a profound influence on thought during Europe.s Age of Enlightment. He had an insatiable appetite for ideas, saying "I let my mind rove wantonly, give it free rein to follow any idea, wise or mad, that may come uppermost."