Named in memory of the famous French philosopher and Encyclopedist Claude Adrien Helvetius (1715–1771). While still very young he read Locke’s Essay concerning human understanding, which influenced his life. In 1758 Helvetius’ De lésprit was published. The book was immediately banned by parliament on the grounds that it was dangerous to the state and to religion. Another famous work, Les progrès de la raison dans la recherche (1775), espoused the idea that all knowledge comes from our sentences and that morality has to be based on a rational, moderate hedonism. He proposed a workday of only seven to eight hours and supported education and culture for all. (M 27463) _ _.