PAUL-HENRI THIRY, BARON D'HOLBACH

WHO WAS BARON D'HOLBACH?

Paul-Henri Dietrich was born in 1723 in Edesheim, Germany. However, he was raised in Paris by his uncle, Franciscus Adam d'Holbach. He studied at the University of Leiden from 1744 to 1749 located in the Netherlands. After his uncle's death, he inherited all his fortune. In result, Holbach moved back to Paris and hosted various salons. He invited important intellectuals such as Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Charles-Georges Le Roy, Jean-Franis Marmontel, and more Parisian philosopher and authors. French nobles and ambassadors from all over Europe came to his dinners to discuss his works and theories. He was very strong atheist, along with his acquaintances and group of colleagues. He mainly discussed determinism and materialistic metaphysics, which were the bases for his rants and attacks against religion. He was a contributor to the creation of Utilitarianism and Ethocracy. He also translated important works about geology and chemistry including Diderot’s Encyclopedia. His most famous work was a book published in 1770 called System of Nature, or Système de la Nature which praised atheism and looked down upon religion. In his other book, Christianity Unveiled, or Le Christianisme Dévoilé published in 1761, attacked Christians and backed up his evidence with by stating that religion was against natural values. His last notable book which was published in 1773 was called Social System, or Système Social discussed morality and the right and wrong within politics. Other notable and known works include Letters to Eugenia, Or, A Preservative Against Religious Prejudices and Superstition in All Ages.