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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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The Essay Podcast

The Essay

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Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: Enlightenment Voices: Diderot

The Essay: Enlightenment Voices: Diderot: Part 1

Diderot

Part 1 Enlightenment Voices

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Justin Champion introduces French philosopher Denis Diderot's Encyclopedie project.

In a series exploring the work of philosopher Denis Diderot, historian Justin Champion introduces the colossal Encyclopedie project, behind which Diderot was the driving force.

Denis Diderot - the inspirational driving force behind the greatest publishing enterprise of the Enlightenment, the colossal Encyclopdie - introduced by historian Justin Champion. 

It is hard to over-estimate the scope and ambition of the Encyclopedie. Published in two decades after 1751, it was the single greatest publishing enterprise of the European Enlightenment. Extending to 28 folio volumes, each a thousand pages in length, and with the intention of recording all existing knowledge, both practical and intellectual, the Encyclopedie contained some 72,000 articles by 230 contributors and sold an astonishing 250,000 copies across Europe. For the first of five programmes, the historian Justin Champion introduces the undertaking, from the commissioning of contributors to the practicalities of printing, binding and distribution, and on to its reception both by ordinary readers and by the political and religious authorities. In Justin's introduction Denis Diderot, the son of a provincial cutler, is brought back to life as the extraordinary driving passion behind this breathtaking landmark both of publishing history and the Enlightenment project.

The Essay: Enlightenment Voices

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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Series introducing great scientists, thinkers and activists of the European Enlightenment

Series introducing the great scientists, thinkers and activists of the European Enlightenment

Series exploring the life and work of French Enlightenment philosopher Denis Diderot

Series exploring the life and work of French philosopher Denis Diderot, the inspirational driving force behind the greatest publishing enterprise of the Enlightenment, the Encyclopdie

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