Bénédict Chastanier (1739 – c. 1816) was a French surgeon. In 1767 he founded a lodge of Illuminés Theosophes, based on the anonymous writings of

Emanuel Swedenborg Emanuel Swedenborg (; ; born Emanuel Swedberg; (29 January 168829 March 1772) was a Swedish polymath; scientist, engineer, astronomer, anatomist, Christian theologian, philosopher, and mysticism, mystic. He became best known for his book on the ...

. In 1774 he migrated to England. In 1775 Chastanier and the Marquis de Thorn joined the Philaléthes, a Masonic society founded by Savalette de Langes in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

. In 1776 he founded Universal Society in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

to disseminate Swedenborg's writing. In 1782 Chastanier and Charles Rainsford reached out to kindred Illuminist groups in

Berlin Berlin ( ; ) is the Capital of Germany, capital and largest city of Germany, by both area and List of cities in Germany by population, population. With 3.7 million inhabitants, it has the List of cities in the European Union by population withi ...

and Paris by publishing a brochure in French about degrees of the Universal Society. Chastanier was in contact with the Illuminés of Avignon.

References

French surgeons 1739 births 1810s deaths Place of birth missing {{france-med-bio-stub