| French deistic philosopher and author.
He went to Paris, where his opera "Les Muses galantes" failed, copied music, and
was secretary of Madame Dupin.
Here he came into association with Diderot, Grimm, D'Alembert, Holbach, and Madame
d'Epinay, and was admitted as a contributor to the Encyclopedie.
His operetta Devin du village (1752) met with great success.
His famous works: Lettre à d'Alembert (Amsterdam, 1758); Julie ou la nouvelle Heloise
(1761); Du Contrat social (Amsterdam, 1762); and Emile ou de 1'education (Amsterdam,
1762).
After wandering about and depending on friends he was permitted to return to Paris (1770),
where he finished the Confessions begun in England, and produced many of his best stories.
Here he copied notes, and studied music and botany.
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