Encyclopédie

The Encyclopédie was a French encyclopaedia edited by Denis Diderot and, until 1759, Jean le Rond d'Alembert, published in 17 volumes of text and 11 of plates between 1751 and 1772. With contributions from Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau and many others, it aimed to gather all knowledge and spread critical, rational thought. It was repeatedly banned by the authorities and became a symbol of the Enlightenment.