An approach to historical criticism in a dictionary: Pierre Bayle, Diccionario histórico y crítico, tomo 2. Oviedo, KRK, 2019, 265 pp.

Abstract

It's hard to believe that a dictionary can cover both history and criticism, but this was Bayle's (1647-1706) conception of his own, which he published in 1696, before the Encyclopedia. It was initially published in two volumes, increasing to four in the 1720 edition, which served as the basis for subsequent editions. Frederick II of Prussia described it as a «precious monument of our century», and Voltaire emphasized that «Bayle teaches doubt». It was a true bestseller, which made its author famous and allowed him to live modestly, continuing his full dedication to his daily work until the very day of his death, when he «died with his pen in his hand» having reached the age of 59.