Rousseau, Jean-Jacques

Author and political philosopher born in Geneva, Switzerland as the son of a watchmaker. His mother died giving birth to him, and when he was ten, his father left him. In 1728, after a period as an artisan's apprentice, he started to travel round Switzerland and France trying his hand at various professions. Also in 1728, he met Madame de Warens (1700–1762), and she became his teacher and mistress. She taught him philosophy, history, science and mathematics, and she prompted him to convert to the Catholic faith.