The Resume

(October 5, 1713-July 31, 1784)
Chief editor of the 'Encyclopédie' (1750-1765)
Wrote 'The Indiscreet Jewels,' 'An Essay on Blindness,' 'Philosophical Thoughts,' 'Rameau's Nephew,' 'The Nun,' 'Jacques the Fatalist and His Master' and 'Regrets on Parting with My Old Dressing Gown'
Atheist

Why he might be annoying:

He had affairs with several women.
He was a very inconsistent thinker.
His first novel told the odd story of a magic ring that made vaginas speak.
He was forced to sell his library to pay a dowry on his daughter.
His encyclopedia had a Protestant bias, and was banned by the Catholic Church.
Although he himself was a nonbeliever, the encyclopedia's atheism article said that atheists should be executed.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was imprisoned for writing atheistic material.
His 'Encyclopédie' project attempted to record all human knowledge of the arts and sciences.
Many notables wrote for the encyclopedia, including Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau.
When his friends abandoned the project, he wrote the last couple hundred articles himself.
He suggested that the blind could be taught to read by touch, years before the braille system was created.
He wrote: 'From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step.'
Thomas Jefferson said he was 'among the most virtuous of men.'

Credit: Ratman

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• I am a Citizen of France
• I am an Atheist
• I Have Emphysema
• Look at Me, I'm Writing
• Look at Me, Yes You! - Finger Pointers
• My Book is on the Catholic Index of Forbidden Books
• Philosophers: 18th Century [1700-1800]
• Profiles 17251-17500 (Ranked: 17419)
• Ratman's Profiles [Series 4]
• Satirists and Wits
• UK Guardian's Simon Critchley's Top 10 Philosophers' Deaths (Ranked: 8)

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 61 Votes: 55.74% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 8 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 64.71% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 81.25% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 18 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 28 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 20 Votes: 65.00% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 68 Votes: 72.06% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 89 Votes: 46.07% Annoying