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Nicolas Antoine Boulanger (French pronunciation:[nikɔlaɑ̃twanbulɑ̃ʒe]; 11 November 1722, inParis – 16 September 1759, in Paris) was a French philosopher andman of letters during theAge of Enlightenment.[1][2]
Born the son of a paper merchant in Paris, Boulanger studied first mathematics, and later ancient languages. He composed several philosophical works in which he sought to come up with naturalistic explanations for superstitions and religious practices, all of which were published posthumously. His major works wereResearch into the Origins of Oriental Despotism («Recherches sur l’origine du despotisme oriental», 1761) andAntiquity Unveiled («L’Antiquité dévoilée par ses usages», 1766). Boulanger's collected works were published in 1792.
The German-bornBaron d'Holbach (Paul-Henri Thiry, 1723–1789) published his controversial anti-religious workChristianity Unveiled («Christianisme dévoilé», 1761), using Boulanger's name as his pseudonym, just two years after the philosopher's death.[3] Boulanger also was one of the first modern critics ofSaint Paul.[4]
The Koronian asteroid7346 Boulanger, discovered in 1993, was named in his honor.[2]
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