Jean Jacques Rousseau did not attend a traditional school in the way we think of schooling today. Instead, he received his early education from his father and a series of tutors. His father, Isaac Rousseau, was a watchmaker and an avid reader, who introduced young Jean Jacques to literature and philosophy at an early age.
After his father left Geneva when Rousseau was just 10 years old, he was sent to live with a pastor in the countryside. There, he continued his education informally, learning Latin, mathematics, and other subjects. However, Rousseau’s formal education was limited, and he was largely self-taught. He read extensively and developed his ideas through his own experiences and reflections.
Rousseau’s lack of formal schooling did not hinder his intellectual growth. He went on to become one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment, contributing significantly to political philosophy, education, and literature.