Britannica AI Icon

Adam Weishaupt

German philosopher

Quick Summary

Adam Weishaupt, a professor of canon law, founded the Bavarian Illuminati in 1776 in Bavaria. This Enlightenment-era secret society aimed to replace existing monarchical governments and established religions with a cult of reason. Members, who initially called themselves "Perfectibilists," were organized similarly to the Jesuit order and incorporated elements of Freemasonry.

The society recruited individuals of wealth and social importance, expanding its influence across Europe. Despite its elaborate structure and internal communication systems, the Bavarian Illuminati were banned by the Bavarian government in 1785. No historical evidence of Weishaupt's group exists after this date. Nevertheless, the Illuminati have persisted in conspiracy theories for centuries, often falsely credited with instigating major historical events.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.