Condorcet, Marie Jean Antoine Nicolas de Caritat (1743-1794)

French philosopher, mathematician, and politician, associated with the Encyclopédistes. In Esquisse d'un tableau des progrès de l'esprit humain/Historical Survey of the Progress of Human Understanding (1795), he traced human development from barbarity to the brink of perfection. As a mathematician he made important contributions to the theory of probability.

Although a keen supporter of the French Revolution, Condorcet opposed the execution of Louis XVI, and was imprisoned and poisoned himself. The Esquisse was written in prison. He also wrote in support of pacifism, sexual equality, and social services.