The Companion focusses on the international intellectual movement of the Enlightenment, and the individuals who shaped it. A number of substantial essays survey the main topics of dictionaries, encyclopedias, art, music and theatre, while central philosophical concepts such as human nature are also examined. Specialized topics receive short definitions and there are several hundred biographies. Chronology. 100 halftones. Bibliographies. Index.

John Yolton is a distinguished philosopher and specialist on the life and works of Locke.

Roy Porter is a historian of the 18th century.

Pat Rogers is a specialist on literature of the period and editor of reference works.

Barbara Stafford is an art historian active in the American Society for 18th Century Studies.