Historical Figures Who Died in 1778

Naturalist · 1707 – 1778

Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish naturalist whose book Systema Naturae established the modern system for naming and classifying living things, earning him the title "father of taxonomy" and making him one of the most influential scientific authors in history.

• Binomial nomenclature
• Systema Naturae

Philosopher · 1712 – 1778

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan-French philosopher, writer, and composer whose ideas on the social contract, the general will, and natural human goodness shaped modern political thought, education, and the Romantic movement.

• The Social Contract
• The general will

Writer · 1694 – 1778

Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher and wit, a tireless champion of reason, free speech and religious tolerance and one of the most influential figures of his age.

• Candide
• Defending free speech and tolerance