The Following list of contributors is based on the work of Frank A. Kafker & Serena L. Kafker, The Encyclopedists as individuals: a biographical dictionary of the authors of the Encyclopédie (Oxford : Voltaire Foundation, 1988). Links will take you to the biographical database provided by the Voltaire Foundation, University of Oxford. For the attribution of unsigned articles we have used several other scholarly sources, documented in our Author Attributions page.
- Abbes, Guillaume d' (?-?), the author of an article on physical beauty.
- Alembert, Jean Le Rond d' (1717-1783), the co-editor of the Encyclopédie from 1747 to 1758 and a prolific contributor of articles, which are designated by the symbol 'O'.
- Allard (?-?), an unidentified Encyclopedist.
- Allut, Antoine (1743-1794), a contributor to one of the articles and some of the plates on glassmaking.
- Anville, Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d' (1697-1782), the author of one brief geographical article.
- Argenville, Antoine-Joseph Desallier d' (1680-1765), one of the main contributors on gardening and on ornamental waterworks in gardens. His articles are designated by the symbol 'K'.
- Arnauld, perhaps Louis-Roch-Antoine-Charles Arnauld (1703-1779), one of the most obscure Encyclopedists.
- Aumont, Arnulphe d' (1721-1800), one of the main contributors on medicine. His acknowledged articles are designated by the symbol 'd'.
- Authville Des Amourettes, Charles-Louis d' (1716-?), the little-known author of four articles, primarily on military affairs.
- Barthez, Paul-Joseph (1734-1806), the author of twenty-two articles: fifteen on anatomy and seven others on such miscellaneous topics as fainting, women, music, the relative physical strength of man and animals, evil spells, and the customs and mythology of the Ancients. His articles are designated by the symbol 'g'.
- Barthez de Marmorières, Guillaume (1707-1799), the author of two articles on agriculture.
- Beauzée, Nicolas (1717-1789), one of the main contributors on grammar. The articles he wrote with Douchet are designated by the symbol 'E.R.M.', those written alone usually by the symbol 'B.E.R.M..
- Bellin, Jacques-Nicolas (1703-1772), the main contributor on maritime subjects. His articles are designated by the symbol 'Z'.
- Berthoud, Ferdinand (1727-1807), a contributor on horology.
- Bertrand, Elie (1713-1797), the author of at least two articles on natural history.
- Blondel, Jacques-François (1705-1774), one of the main contributors on architecture. His articles are designated by the symbol 'P'.
- Bordeu, Théophile de (1722-1776), the author of a medical article on crisis points in disease.
- Bouchaud, Mathieu-Antoine (1719-1804), the author of four articles on Church history and canonical law.
- Boucher d'Argis, Antoine-Gaspard (1708-1791), the main contributor on jurisprudence beginning with volume iii. His articles are designated by the symbol 'A'.
- Bouchu, Etienne-Jean (1714-1773), the author of an article on iron forges.
- Boufflers, Stanislas-Catherine, chevalier de (1738-1815), the author of a short article on the nature of generosity.
- Bouillet, Jean (1690-1777), the author of two articles on physiology and medicine.
- Bouillet, Jean-Henri-Nicolas (1729-1790), a probable contributor on medicine.
- Boulanger, or Boullanger, Nicolas-Antoine (1722-1759), the author of articles primarily on prehistory, ancient civilisation, and contemporary economic policies.
- Bourgelat, Claude (1712-1779), the main contributor of articles about the horse in volumes v, vi, and vii. His articles are designated by the symbol 'e'.
- Brisson, Antoine-François (1728- at least 1791), the author of two articles on fabrics and perhaps other contributions.
- Brosses, Charles de (1709-1777), the author of part of an article on. music. He also provided a manuscript on etymology used piecemeal in various articles by other Encyclopedists.
- Brullé (?-?), the author of at least two articles on printing and one of the supervisors of the printing of the Encyclopédie.
- Cahusac, Louis de (1706-1759),1 one of the main contributors on dance, music, and festivals. His articles are designated by the symbol 'B'.
- Collot, Jean François-Henry (1716-1804), the author of two articles on ways to increase France's population and prosperity.
- Compt, de (?-?), one of the most obscure Encyclopedists.
- Damilaville, or d'Amilaville, Etienne-Noël (1723-1768), the author of articles on milling and demography and parts of the article on the vingtième tax.
- Daubenton, Louis-Jean-Marie (1716-1800), the main contributor on natural history. His articles are generally designated by the symbol 'I' and occasionally simply by his last name.
- Daubenton, Pierre (1703-1776), the main contributor on arboriculture. His articles are generally designated either by the symbol 'c' or by the signature 'Daubenton subdélégué' (an agent of an intendant).
- David, Michel-Antoine (c. 1707-1769), one of the four publishers of the Encyclopédie and the author of two of its articles on the book trade.
- Deleyre, Alexandre (1726-1797), the author of an article on the manufacture of straight pins and one on religious fanaticism.
- Desmahis, Joseph-François-Edouard de Corsembleu de (1722-1761), the author of an article on the nature of fops and another on the nature of women.
- Desmarest, or Desmarets, Nicolas (1725-1815), a contributor on technology and natural science.
- Diderot, Denis (1713-1784), the chief editor and a prolific contributor of articles, some of which are designated by the symbol '*' and some left anonymous.
- Douchet, Jacques-Philippe-Augustin (?-?), a little-known contributor on grammar. His articles, written with Beauzée, are designated by the symbol 'E.R.M..
- Duclos, Charles Pinot (1704-1772), the author of three literary and historical articles.
- Dufour (?-?). The editors' comments about him in the Encyclopédie do not identify him except to say that he is 'versé dans les matières de Finances' (v.ii; see also vi.vii).
- Du Marsais, César Chesneau (1676-1756), the main contributor on grammar for volumes i to vi. His articles are designated by the symbol 'F'.
- Durival, Jean Luton (1725-1810), the author of fifteen articles, most of them on military affairs.
- Durival, Nicolas Luton (1713-1795), whose specific contributions to the Encyclopédie are unknown.
- Eidous, Marc-Antoine (1710?-1780? or 1790?), the author of articles on heraldry, the blacksmith's trade, and horsemanship. They are designated by the symbol 'V'.
- Faiguet de Villeneuve, Joachim (1703-1780?), the author of fifteen articles on miscellaneous topics..
- Falconet, Etienne-Maurice (1716-1791), the author of an article about sculpture.
- Fenouillot de Falbaire de Quingey, Charles-George (1727-1800), the author of an article on ethics and articles on saltworks.
- Formey, Jean-Henri-Samuel (1711-1797), a contributor on religion, philosophy, science, and other topics.
- Fortbonnais, or Forbonnais, François Véron de (1722-1800), a contributor on economic subjects for some of the early volumes. Most of his articles are designated by the symbol 'V.D.F..
- Fouquet, Henri (1727-1806), the author of articles on medicine and physiology.
- Genson (?-?), the little-known author of five articles or parts of articles about the horse.
- Goussier, Louis-Jacques (1722-1799), Diderot's chief assistant for the mechanical arts. His articles are designated by the symbol 'D'.
- Grimm, Frédéric-Melchior (1723-1807), the author of two articles on music.
- Grosley, Pierre-Jean (1718-1785), the author of an article on hemp.
- Gueneau de Montbeillard, Philibert (1720-1785), the author of the philosophical article on extension.
- Guillotte, François-Jacques (?-c.1766), the author of an article on a type of military bridge.
- Holbach, Paul Thiry, baron d' (1723-1789), a prolific contributor of articles on science, religion, politics, and other subjects. Some are designated by the symbol '—' and others are anonymous. In addition, he contributed on mineralogy to volume vi of the plates.
- Jaucourt, Louis, chevalier de (1704-1780), the most prolific contributor to the Encyclopédie. His articles on religion, politics, economics, medicine, literature, the visual arts, and many other topics are usually designated by the symbol 'D.J.'
- Kurdwanowski, Jean-Etienne Ligenza (1680-1780), the author of an article on mathematics.
- La Bassée (?-?), an unidentified Encyclopedist.
- La Chapelle, abbé Jean-Baptiste de (?-?), one of the main contributors on mathematics. His articles are designated by the symbol 'E'.
- La Condamine, Charles-Marie de (1701-1774), the author of a few articles, including three relating to South America and perhaps one on inoculation.
- La Motte-Conflans, or La Motte-Conflant, the little-known author of two articles on royal taxation. He was probably Antoine-Claude-Pierre Masson de La Motte-Conflans (1727-1801).
- Landois, Paul (?-?), little known, but one of the main contributors on the visual arts. His articles are designated by the symbol 'R'.
- Lavirotte, Louis-Anne (1725-1759), the author of an article on medicine.
- Le Blond, Guillaume (1704-1781), the main contributor on the art of warfare. His articles are designated by the symbol 'Q'.
- Le Breton, André-François (1708-1779), the chief publisher of the Encyclopédie and the author of 'Encre noire à l'usage de l'imprimerie', a two-page technical article on the composition and manufacture of various kinds of printer's ink appearing in volume v.
- Lefebvre, or Lefevre, André (1718-1768), the author of two articles on morality and three on child-rearing.
- Le Monnier, or Lemonnier, Louis-Guillaume (1717-1799), the author of articles on electricity and magnetism.
- Lenglet Du Fresnoy, abbé Nicolas (1674-1755), one of the main contributors on history for volumes iii and iv. His articles are designated by the symbol 'a'.
- Le Romain, or Romain, Jean-Baptiste-Pierre (?-?), the little-known author of many articles about the West Indies.
- Le Roy, Charles (1726-1779), the author of an article on evaporation and perhaps another on mineral waters.
- Le Roy, Charles-Georges (1723-1789), the author of articles on hunting, gamekeeping, agriculture, and philosophy.
- Le Roy, Jean-Baptiste (1720-1800), one of the main contributors on technology, including scientific instruments. His articles are designated by the symbol 'T'.
- Le Sage, George-Louis, or Georges-Louis (1724-1803), the author of an article on mathematical logic.
- Lezay-Marnésia, Claude-François-Adrien, marquis de (1735-1800), the author of a short piece on marauding.
- Liebault, one of the little-known contributors on military affairs. He is either Léopold, baptised Nicolas (1723-?), or his elder brother Nicolas-François (?-?).
- Louis, Antoine (1723-1792), the main contributor on surgery. His articles are designated by the symbol 'Y'.
- Lubières, Charles-Benjamin de (1714-1790), Idée, Induction, Probabilité.
- Lucotte, J.-R. (?-?), one of the leading contributors on the mechanical arts.
- Magimel, either Philippe-Antoine Magimel (c.1692-1772) or one of his sons, Antoine-Edouard Magimel (c.1724-?) and Augustin-Simon Magimel (1730-?).
- Mallet, abbé Edme-François (1713-1755), one of the main contributors on such varied subjects as commerce, history, literature, and religion. His articles are designated by the symbol 'G'.
- Malouin, Paul-Jacques (1701-1778), the leading contributor on chemistry to the early volumes. His articles are designated by the symbol 'M' in volumes i to iii.
- Margency, Adrien Quiret or Cuyret de (1727-?), the author of three articles on the nature of love and a fourth describing the post of gentleman-in-ordinary to the King's Household. They appear in volumes vi and vii, and each is less than half a page.
- Marmontel, Jean-François (1723-1799), the author of many articles on literature and a few on other topics.
- Menuret de Chambaud, Jean-Joseph (1739-1815),1 one of the leading contributors on medicine. His articles are usually designated by the symbol 'm', but also at times by 'M' or by 'Menuret'.
- Millot, Charles (c. 1717-1769), a little-known contributor on philosophy.
- Monnoye (?-?), an unidentified Encyclopedist who contributed an article on painting.
- Montamy, Didier-François d'Arclais de (1702-1765), was named in the Encyclopédie as the author of a contribution on porcelain and he may have written several anonymous articles.
- Montdorge, Antoine Gautier de (1701?-1768), a contributor on engraving.
- Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de (1689-1755), the author of part of an article on taste.
- Montet, Jacques (1722-1782), the author of three chemistry articles.
- Montlovier, Jean-Denis de (1733-1804), the little-known author of a short piece on desertion from the military.
- Morand, Sauveur-François (1697-1773), wrote an article on medicine and provided information for one on surgery.
- Morellet, abbé André (1727-1819), the author of at least six articles on religion and philosophy. They are designated by the symbol 'h'.
- Naigeon, Jacques-André (1738-1810), the author of three contributions on philosophical and religious subjects.
- Necker de Germany, Louis (1730-1804), the author of an article on friction in mechanics.
- Ogiński, Michał Kazimierz, Count and Prince (1728-1800), the author of all or part of an article on the harp.
- Paillasson (?-1789?), the little-known specialist on calligraphy.
- Papillon, Jean-Baptiste-Michel (1698-1776), the contributor of most of the ornamental book decorations in the Encyclopédie and its specialist on wood-engraving.
- Paris de Meyzieu, Jean-Baptiste (1718-1778), the author of an article on the Ecole royale militaire.
- Penchenier, one of the most obscure medical contributors. He was almost certainly Antoine Penchenier or Penchinier (?-1761).
- Perrinet d'Orval, Jean-Charles (1707?-?), the little-known specialist on fireworks.
- Perronet, Jean-David, later Jean-Rodolphe (1708-1794), a contributor on technology and economics.
- Pesselier, Charles-Etienne (1712-1763), the author of six articles on finance.
- Pestre, abbé Jean (1723-1821), a contributor on philosophy for volumes ii and iii. His articles are designated by the symbol 'C'.
- Petit, Antoine (1722-1794), the author of an article on anatomy.
- Pezay, Alexandre-Frédéric-Jacques Masson de (1741-1777), the author of an article defining valour.
- Polier de Bottens, Antoine-Noé de (1713-1783), the author of articles on religion.
- Prades, abbé Jean-Martin de (1724-1782), the author of most of the article 'Certitude' in the Encyclopédie and the centre of one of the crises that beset the work.
- Quesnay, François (1694-1774), the author of one article on metaphysics and two on economic policies.
- Rallier Des Ourmes, Jean-Joseph (1701-1771), the author of thirteen articles on mathematics and one on religion..
- Ratte, Etienne-Hyacinthe de (1722-1805), the author of seven articles on physics.
- Robert de Vaugondy, Didier (1723-1786), the author of three articles on geography.
- Romilly, Jean (1714-1796), a contributor on horology.
- Romilly, Jean-Edme (1739-1779), the author of articles on religious toleration and virtue.
- Rousseau, Jean-Jacques (1712-1778), one of the main contributors on music and the author of an article on political theory. His articles are usually designated by the symbol 'S'.
- Roux, Augustin (1726-1776), the author of articles on cooling and amber for the Encyclopédie. He also provided some commentaries for its chemistry plates.
- Saint-Lambert, Jean-François de (1716-1803), the author of several articles on philosophical, political, and other subjects.
- Sanchez, Antoine-Nunes-Ribeiro (in Portuguese known as António Nunes Ribeiro Sanches) (1699-1783), the author of the article on venereal disease.
- Sauvages, abbé Pierre-Augustin Boissier de La Croix de (1710-1795), the author of at least part of an article on textiles and perhaps other anonymous articles.
- Seguiran (?-?), an unidentified Encyclopedist.
- Soubeyran, Pierre (1709-1775), the author of an article on watchmaking.
- Tarin, Pierre (1721-1793?), the little-known, main contributor on anatomy and physiology. His articles are designated by the symbol 'L'.
- Thomas (?-?), an unidentified Encyclopedist who contributed on the mechanical arts.
- Toussaint, François-Vincent (1715-1772), one of the main contributors on jurisprudence for the early volumes. His articles are designated by the symbol 'H'.
- Tressan, Louis-Elisabeth de La Vergne, comte, later marquis de (1705-1783),the author of three articles on military affairs and one on literature.
- Tronchin, Thèodore(1709-1781), the author of an article on smallpox inoculation.
- Turgot, Anne-Robert-Jacques, baron de L'Aune (1727-1781), the author of five articles on the subjects of etymology, philosophy, physics, and economics.
- Vandenesse, Urbain de (?–1753), little known, but one of the main contributors on medicine, materia medica, and pharmacy. His articles are designated by the symbol 'N'.
- Venel, Gabriel-François (1723-1775), one of the main contributors on chemistry, medicine, and other matters. His articles are designated by the symbol 'b'.
- Villiers, Jacques-François de (1727-1790), a contributor primarily on chemistry. A few of his articles are designated by the symbol 'f'.
- Vinfrais (?-?), a little-known Encyclopedist.
- Voglie, Jean de, also called Bentivoglio, Jean (c. 1723-1777), the author of an article on bridge-building. Also, his report on slate quarries was inserted in a volume of the plates, but it is not clear whether this was done with his permission.
- Voltaire, François-Marie Arouet de (1694-1778), the author of more than forty literary, historical, and philosophical articles.
- Watelet, Claude-Henri (1718-1786), one of the leading contributors on the visual arts.
- Willermoz, Pierre-Jacques (1735-1799), the author of an article on phosphorus.
- Yvon, abbé Claude (1714-1791), a contributor on philosophy and religion. His articles are designated by the symbol 'X'.