Pierre des Maizeaux facts for kids
Pierre des Maizeaux (born around 1666 or 1673 – died June 1745) was a French writer. He was a Huguenot, which means he was a French Protestant. Because of his religion, he had to leave France and live in London, England. He is best known for translating and writing about the life of another famous writer, Pierre Bayle.
Early Life and Moving to England
Pierre des Maizeaux was born in Pailhat, a region in Auvergne, France. His father was a minister in the Protestant church. At that time, French Protestants faced difficulties. When the Edict of Nantes was cancelled, Protestants lost many of their rights. Because of this, Pierre's family had to leave France. They found safety in Geneva, where Pierre received his education.
In 1689, Pierre des Maizeaux moved to England. He was introduced to Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury, a well-known English nobleman, by Pierre Bayle. Once in England, Pierre des Maizeaux started working on many literary projects.
Life in London and Important Connections
Pierre des Maizeaux stayed in close contact with other French Protestants who had also left France and were living in England and Holland. He was involved with a special meeting place called the Rainbow Coffee House in London. This place was a hub for Huguenots to share information. Through this connection, he regularly wrote letters to important scholars and writers across Europe. They often asked him to help with their business in England.
In 1720, Pierre des Maizeaux was recognized for his contributions to knowledge and was chosen to be a member of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group for scientists and thinkers in the United Kingdom.
His Work and Writings
Pierre des Maizeaux worked with Anthony Collins, another philosopher. He also prepared and published the writings of the famous English philosopher John Locke in 1720. As mentioned, he was the translator and biographer for Pierre Bayle.
He was a key person in what was called the "Republic of Letters" in the 1700s. This was like a big online community of scholars and writers across Europe who shared ideas through letters and publications. He was also important within the community of French Protestants living in London.
Des Maizeaux also translated the works of Charles de Saint-Évremond from French into English. This book was published in 1714 and included details about Saint-Évremond's life. He dedicated this work to Charles Lord Halifax, an important person at the time. In 1700, des Maizeaux wrote a comment about Leibniz's 'New System' of philosophy. Later, in 1720, he edited and wrote an introduction for a French translation of the letters exchanged between Leibniz and Samuel Clarke, known as the Leibniz–Clarke correspondence.
Among his own written works are:
- Vie de St Evremond (1711) – a biography of Saint-Évremond
- Vie de Boileau-Despreaux (1712) – a biography of Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux
- Vie de Bayle (1730) – a biography of Pierre Bayle
He also played an active role in creating two important European journals: the Bibliothèque raisonnée des ouvrages de l'Europe (published from 1728 to 1753) and the Bibliothèque britannique (published from 1733 to 1747). He also edited a collection of Saint-Évremond's writings in 1706.
Many of Des Maizeaux's letters are kept safe in the British Museum in London, and other letters are in the Royal Library in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Pierre des Maizeaux passed away in London in June 1745.
