French Enlightenment Literature (1715–1789)

1. French Regency begins after Louis XIV dies

   Sep 1, 1715Labels: Louis XIV, French Regency, salons

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

2. Montesquieu publishes *Persian Letters*

   Jan 1, 1721Labels: Montesquieu, Persian Letters

   • Britannica
   • Bnf Data

3. Voltaire publishes *Lettres philosophiques*

   Jan 1, 1734Labels: Voltaire, Lettres philosophiques

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

4. Montesquieu publishes *The Spirit of Laws*

   Jan 1, 1748Labels: Montesquieu, The Spirit

   • Britannica
   • Stanford SEP

5. Diderot is jailed after *Letter on the Blind*

   Jul 24, 1749Labels: Diderot, Vincennes Prison

   • Britannica
   • BnF Gallica

6. Rousseau wins Dijon prize with First Discourse

   Jan 1, 1750Labels: Rousseau, Dijon Prize

   • Britannica
   • Stanford SEP

7. First volume of the *Encyclopédie* appears

   Jan 1, 1751Labels: Diderot, d'Alembert, Encyclop die

   • Britannica
   • LOC

8. Royal council bans early *Encyclopédie* volumes

   Feb 7, 1752Labels: Royal Council, Encyclop die

   • Britannica
   • BnF Gallica

9. Voltaire publishes *Candide*

   Jan 1, 1759Labels: Voltaire, Candide

   • Britannica
   • BnF Data

10. Privilege for the *Encyclopédie* is revoked

    Mar 8, 1759Labels: Encyclop die, privilege revoked

    • Britannica
    • LOC

11. Rousseau publishes *The Social Contract*

    Jan 1, 1762Labels: Rousseau, The Social

    • Britannica
    • Stanford SEP

12. Rousseau publishes *Émile*

    Jan 1, 1762Labels: Rousseau, mile

    • Britannica
    • BnF Data

13. Voltaire publishes *Treatise on Tolerance*

    Apr 1, 1763Labels: Voltaire, Treatise on

    • Britannica
    • Musee Prot

14. Beaumarchais’s *The Barber of Seville* premieres

    Feb 23, 1775Labels: Beaumarchais, The Barber

    • Britannica
    • BnF Data

15. Beaumarchais’s *The Marriage of Figaro* premieres

    Apr 27, 1784Labels: Beaumarchais, The Marriage

    • Britannica
    • BnF Data

16. Estates-General convenes; Revolution begins

    May 5, 1789Labels: Estates-General, French Revolution

    • Britannica
    • Britannica