[German Version]

(Nov 18, 1647, Le Carla, Languedoc – Dec 28, 1706, Rotterdam) came from a family of Reformed clergymen, as a young man converted to Catholicism for a short time, and had to leave France after his re-conversion. He studied theology in Geneva and deepened his knowledge of the philosopher R. Descartes. He risked a return to France and taught philosophy at the Reformed academy of Sedan. After the academy was closed in 1681, Bayle went to the Gymnasium illustre in Rotterdam. Following a conflict among the Réfugiés about their attitude…