Diderots

Diderots is the plural form of the French surname Diderot, and in historical and biographical contexts it refers to people bearing that name. The surname is of French origin, typically derived from the given name Didier.

The most prominent bearer of the name is Denis Diderot (1713–1784), a French philosopher, writer, and central figure of the Enlightenment. Diderot is best known for co-editing and contributing to the Encyclopédie, a monumental reference work produced with Jean le Rond d’Alembert that sought to compile and disseminate knowledge across sciences, arts, and trades. Published in the mid-18th century, the Encyclopédie played a key role in promoting secular inquiry, empirical reasoning, and critical thought, and it faced opposition from religious and political authorities of the time. Beyond the Encyclopédie, Diderot produced plays, essays, and philosophical writings, including notable works on aesthetics, theatre criticism, and the nature of representation.

In modern usage, Diderots can refer more broadly to people who bear the Diderot surname—or to the family and descendants associated with Denis Diderot. The term does not denote a formal organization but rather a biographical or genealogical grouping, with the most enduring significance tied to Denis Diderot and his contributions to philosophy, literature, and the dissemination of knowledge during the Enlightenment.