BAYLE, PIERRE

(1647–1706)

Philosopher. Bayle studied theology and philosophy in Toulouse and Geneva and was appointed professor at the Protestantacademy at Sedan in his native country France. After King Louis XIV closed this academy, Bayle, like so many other persecuted Protestants, left the country and settled in Rotterdam. He was appointed professor of philosophy at the local athenaeum, but was dismissed in 1693 after a conflict with his fanatic Calvinist colleague and fellow townsman Pierre Jurieu (1637–1713). During his “refuge,” Bayle published many treatises that were critical of superstitious and irrational beliefs. He was a firm precursor of the Enlightenment and his Dictionnaire historique et critique (in several editions from 1697) won him international fame.