Dimitrie Cantemir, prince philosophe de Moldavie. Échos européens

Abstract

Nicolae Liu : Dimitrie Cantemir, the Moldavian philosopher-prince and his influence in Europe. Dimitrie Cantemir, the Romanian philosopher, man of letters, scientist and politician, who symbolizes the transition from humanist to enlightened ruler in S.E. Europe, was well-known in the Republic of Letters. But his most famous book, The History of the Growth and Decay of the Ottoman Empire, was only published posthumously in London in 1734 (the same year as Montesquieu's Considérations...). Voltaire appreciated the work, which was lent to him by Dimitrie's son Antioch, and which led to an interesting and neglected exchange of letters. Until the middle of the 19th Century, other French, English, German and Russian men of letters were interested in this expert on Islam, who thus helped develop East-West relations.