Birth of Denis Diderot
Denis Diderot is born in Langres to master cutler Didier Diderot.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Denis Diderot Biography and Timeline
Follow Denis Diderot through 12 dated historical records for France.
Denis Diderot, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
12Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1713–1784Years on this page
1713
1732
Master of Arts Degree
Diderot receives a Master of Arts degree after studies in Paris.
1746
Philosophical Thoughts
Diderot anonymously publishes Philosophical Thoughts, challenging religious dogmatism.
1749
Imprisonment at Vincennes
Diderot is confined at Vincennes because of his controversial philosophical writings.
Letter on the Blind
Diderot publishes Letter on the Blind and is imprisoned for its materialist implications.
1751
First Volume of the Encyclopedie
Diderot and d'Alembert publish the first volume of the Encyclopedie.
Encyclopedie First Volume
Publishes the first volume of the Encyclopedie with collaborators.
Enlightenment Knowledge Project
Organizes scientific, technical and philosophical knowledge for a broad readership.
1759
Encyclopedie Suppression
Royal authorities revoke the Encyclopedie's publication privilege, forcing editorial work underground.
1765
Completion of Encyclopedie Text
Diderot completes the principal text volumes of the Encyclopedie after years of censorship.
1773
Journey to Russia
Diderot travels to Russia and discusses education and reform with Catherine II.
1784
Death of Denis Diderot
Denis Diderot dies in Paris, aged seventy.
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.