Encyclopédie

The Amazing Encyclopédie

The Encyclopédie was a very big and special book filled with knowledge. It was made in France between the years 1751 and 1772. Many smart people helped write it, and two main editors were Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert.

This encyclopedia is important because it shared new ideas from a time called the Enlightenment. This was when people wanted to learn more and think in new ways. Denis Diderot wanted the book to help change how people think and share knowledge with everyone.

The Encyclopédie was the first encyclopedia to have many different writers. It also described mechanical arts, like crafts and skills, in great detail. The first version had seventeen big books of text and eleven books of pictures. Later, smaller books were made so more people in Europe could read it.

Fun Facts

• Over 140 people helped write the Encyclopédie! One writer, Louis de Jaucourt, wrote more than 17,000 articles by himself.
• The book had 28 volumes with many articles and pictures. The first books came out between 1751 and 1765, and the pictures were ready by 1772.
• The Encyclopédie shared ideas about science, arts, crafts, and even politics. It talked about fair rights for everyone and opposed slavery.

The Encyclopédie helped people learn new things and think in new ways. It is remembered as a very important book in history.