A serious botanist and scientist who lived with Madame de Warens and Rousseau, known for his interest in plants and medicines as well as his supportive role in Warens' household.

A French philosopher and prolific writer, once a close friend of Rousseau, with whom he shared intellectual discussions and later disagreements.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's father, a skilled clockmaker, who instilled a love of learning in his son but left him in Geneva due to complex family circumstances.

A fashionable figure in French society who develops an intimate yet ultimately troubled relationship with Rousseau, providing him with a residence during a significant period of his life.

A benefactress of Rousseau who provided care and support, with whom Rousseau had a complex personal relationship that evolved over time.

A Calvinist woman who provided Rousseau with religious instruction and whose disciplinary methods unintentionally shaped Rousseau's understanding of his own inclinations.

Rousseau's lover and mother of his five children, who plays a significant personal role in his life despite his criticisms and their complicated relationship.

A French writer and Enlightenment figure whose interactions with Rousseau highlight their differing philosophical approaches, particularly around emotion and rationalism.