How a forgotten French encyclopaedist cured the depression of John Stuart Mill

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Jean-François Marmontel was a central figure of the Enlightenment, a prolific writer, and a key contributor to the Encyclopédie. Though his name has faded, his literary influence was profound enough to shape the intellectual development of John Ruskin and provide a vital mental recovery for John Stuart Mill.

Born in 1723 to poor parents in Limousin, Marmontel moved to Paris in 1745 on the advice of Voltaire to pursue a literary career. He quickly integrated into the elite circles of the Enlightenment, contributing extensively to the famous Encyclopédie and becoming a regular at the influential dinners hosted by Madame Geoffrin. His work spanned tragedies, comic operas, and critical essays, eventually earning him a seat at the Académie Française in 1763.

Marmontel’s career was marked by both success and controversy. His 1767 novel Bélisaire drew the ire of the Sorbonne and the archbishop of Paris for its advocacy of religious toleration, prompting him to respond with Les Incas in 1777, which critiqued the religious fanaticism behind the Spanish conquest of Peru. He also served as a historiographer of France and was an active member of the Masonic lodge Les Neuf Sœurs, positioning him at the heart of 18th-century intellectual life.

During the French Revolution, Marmontel fled to a cottage in Eure, where he wrote his Mémoires d'un père. This four-volume work, originally intended for his children, serves as a rich historical record of the era, featuring portraits of figures ranging from Jean Baptiste Massillon to Honoré Mirabeau. Beyond its historical value, the memoir gained lasting fame for its therapeutic effect on John Stuart Mill, who credited the text with helping him overcome a period of deep depression.

Today, Marmontel is remembered not only for his own literary output, such as the Eléments de littérature, but as a bridge between the great minds of his time. His ability to capture the spirit of French society under Louis XV and his enduring influence on later thinkers like Ruskin and Mill ensure his place as a significant, if often overlooked, intellectual force.

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