Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born on June 28, 1712, in Geneva, Switzerland.¹⁾

He was a philosopher, writer, and composer of the 18th century Enlightenment period.²⁾

Rousseau's mother died shortly after his birth, and he was raised by his father and an aunt.³⁾

Despite his significant influence on political philosophy, Rousseau's formal education was relatively limited.⁴⁾

He is best known for his works “Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men” and “The Social Contract.”⁵⁾

Rousseau's ideas greatly influenced the French Revolution and the development of modern political, sociological, and educational thought.⁶⁾

His concept of the “social contract” proposes that individuals surrender some of their freedoms to a governing authority in exchange for protection and social order.⁷⁾

Rousseau's writings on education emphasized the importance of nurturing individual talents and fostering natural development rather than imposing strict discipline.⁸⁾

He coined the term “noble savage” to describe his belief that humans are inherently good but corrupted by society and civilization.⁹⁾

Rousseau had a turbulent personal life, marked by numerous love affairs and strained relationships with friends and colleagues.¹⁰⁾

He famously argued against the prevailing view of his time that women were intellectually inferior to men, advocating for equal education and rights for women.¹¹⁾

Rousseau's “Confessions” is considered one of the earliest autobiographies in Western literature, providing intimate details of his life and thoughts.¹²⁾

He had a profound impact on Romanticism, inspiring writers such as Wordsworth, Shelley, and Byron.¹³⁾

Rousseau's ideas on democracy and individual freedom laid the groundwork for modern liberal thought.¹⁴⁾

He believed that private property and economic inequality were the root causes of social injustice and conflict.¹⁵⁾