Birth of Francine Descartes
Descartes becomes the father of Francine, whose mother is Helene Jans.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Rene Descartes Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow Rene Descartes through 98 dated historical records for France.
Rene Descartes, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
98Distinct records
2 of 3Page
1635–1643Years on this page
1635
Cartesian Physics
Henry Reneri begins teaching ideas derived from Descartes's natural philosophy at Utrecht.
1636
Descartes Prepares Scientific Essays For Press
Descartes organized studies of optics, meteorology and geometry for publication with a methodological preface. The package demonstrated how his philosophical approach could be applied to different fields.
Move to Leiden
Descartes moves to Leiden while arranging publication of the Discourse on the Method.
1637
Algebra and Geometry
Descartes connects algebra and geometry in ways that strongly influence later mathematical analysis.
The Geometry
The Geometry demonstrates how algebraic equations can be used to solve geometrical problems.
Law of Refraction
Descartes gives a mathematical treatment of refraction in his published work on optics.
The Dioptrics
The Dioptrics presents Descartes's account of light, vision, lenses and refraction.
The Meteorology
The Meteorology applies mechanical explanations to rainbows, clouds, winds and other atmospheric phenomena.
Cogito Ergo Sum
Descartes presents thought itself as evidence of the thinker's existence.
Discourse on the Method
Descartes publishes the Discourse on the Method in French with three accompanying scientific essays.
Methodical Doubt
The Discourse presents disciplined doubt as a means of seeking secure foundations for knowledge.
Descartes Explains Cogito Through Self Reflection
Descartes argued that the act of doubting cannot eliminate the existence of the thinker performing it. The insight gave his philosophical reconstruction a starting point resistant to skeptical challenge.
Descartes Explains Rainbow Through Refraction
In Meteorology Descartes used optical reasoning to account for the appearance and geometry of the rainbow. The discussion exemplified his preference for mechanical models over traditional qualitative explanations.
Descartes Formulates Four Methodological Rules
In the Discourse Descartes recommended clear evidence, division of difficulties, ordered reasoning and comprehensive review. The rules provided a public summary of his proposed discipline of inquiry.
Descartes Interprets Sight Through Physical Optics
In Dioptrics Descartes connected the transmission of light with the workings of the eye. His treatment linked mathematical optics to an account of how bodies produce visual experience.
Descartes Presents Algebraic Representation Of Curves
In Geometry Descartes connected curves and equations within a general mathematical method. The work helped establish techniques that became fundamental to analytic geometry.
Cartesian Coordinate Geometry
Establishes analytic geometry through coordinates and symbolic algebra.
La Geometrie
Publishes a method connecting algebraic equations with geometric curves.
1638
Descartes Defends Physical Explanations In Correspondence
Descartes answered questions from correspondents about his newly published scientific essays. The exchanges clarified how proposed mechanical causes could be tested against observed effects.
1639
Writing the Meditations
Descartes begins composing the Meditations on First Philosophy as a foundation for the sciences.
1640
Death of Francine Descartes
Descartes's daughter Francine dies during childhood, causing him profound personal grief.
Descartes Revises Proofs Of Divine Existence
While preparing his metaphysical work Descartes refined arguments concerning God and the certainty of clear perception. These arguments were intended to answer the problem of radical doubt.
Publication Preparations
Descartes returns to Leiden to supervise preparation of the Meditations for publication.
1641
Descartes Answers Arnauld On Circular Reasoning
Antoine Arnauld questioned whether Descartes relied circularly on divine reliability and clear perception. Their exchange became a key source for later discussion of the Cartesian circle.
Descartes Debates Gassendi About The Mind
Pierre Gassendi pressed objections from an empiricist perspective to Descartes's metaphysical arguments. The dispute revealed competing accounts of how knowledge of the self is possible.
Descartes Defends Clear And Distinct Perception
The Meditations treats clear and distinct understanding as a candidate standard of truth. Descartes connected its reliability with the idea that a perfect God would not systematically deceive.
Descartes Distinguishes Thinking From Extension
Descartes characterized mind through thought and body through spatial extension. This distinction became foundational for subsequent disputes over consciousness and physical causation.
Descartes Introduces Evil Demon Hypothesis
The First Meditation asks readers to imagine a deceiver powerful enough to undermine apparent knowledge. This thought experiment sharpens methodological doubt before the search for secure conclusions.
Descartes Responds To Hobbes Materialist Objections
Thomas Hobbes challenged Cartesian arguments about mind and existence in objections circulated with the Meditations. Descartes's replies defended the difference between thinking substance and corporeal explanation.
Descartes Uses Wax Example For Intellect
The Second Meditation examines how a piece of wax remains recognized despite changing sensible qualities. Descartes used it to argue that intellectual judgment is not reducible to the senses.
First Meditation
Descartes uses systematic doubt to question beliefs derived from sensation and ordinary experience.
Foundations of Science
Descartes presents metaphysical arguments intended to secure the possibility of reliable scientific knowledge.
Meditations on First Philosophy
The first Latin edition of the Meditations on First Philosophy is published in Paris.
Mind and Body
The Meditations distinguishes thinking mind from extended matter and reshapes later metaphysical debate.
Second Meditation
Descartes argues that the certainty of thinking establishes the existence of the thinking self.
1642
Utrecht Condemnation
The Utrecht authorities restrict public teaching of Cartesian philosophy amid theological controversy.
Descartes Faces University Opposition In Utrecht
The introduction of Cartesian thought at Utrecht generated criticism from theologians and university authorities. The controversy exposed tensions between new mechanical philosophy and established teaching.
Second Edition of the Meditations
A second edition adds further objections and Descartes's replies to his philosophical critics.
1643
Correspondence with Princess Elisabeth
Descartes begins corresponding with Princess Elisabeth about mind-body interaction, ethics and the passions.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.