Jean Leclerc, 1657–1736

Jean Leclerc was a noted encyclopedist and biblical scholar who made a lasting contribution to critical interpretation and theological method.  His views on the Bible, though radical for their time, were nevertheless well-reasoned and based on advanced principles of exegesis.  He was the editor of three encyclopedias: Bibliothèque universelle et historique in 26 volumes (1686–1693), Bibliothèque choisie in 28 volumes (1703–1713), and Bibliothèque ancienne et moderne in 29 volumes (1714–1730).