who was denis diderot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Denis Diderot (French: [dÉni didÊo]; 5 October 1713 â 31 July 1784) was a French philosopher, art critic and writer. He was a known figure during the Enlightenment. He is best known for serving as co-founder, chief editor and contributor to the EncyclopÃ©die along with Jean le Rond d'Alembert. Diderot died from pulmonary thrombosis in Paris, aged 70. â Jacques Smietanski, Le RÃ©alisme dans Jacques le Fataliste (Paris: Nizet, 1965).