Educational gallery

Historical Figures

The people who founded, joined, suppressed and interpreted the Bavarian Illuminati.

Each profile gives life dates, the person's documented connection to the order, and references for further reading. Portraits are historical works in the public domain, credited on each profile.

1748–1830 · Founder of the order (code name "Spartacus")

Adam Weishaupt

Founder of the Bavarian Illuminati and professor of canon law at Ingolstadt.

1752–1796 · Leading member (code name "Philo")

Adolph Freiherr Knigge

Writer and Freemason who reorganised the order's degrees.

1756–1843 · Senior member (code name "Cato")

Franz Xaver von Zwack

Senior member whose seized papers exposed the order.

1731–1793 · Member (code name "Aemilius")

Johann Joachim Christoph Bode

Translator, publisher and Freemason.

1724–1799 · Issued the edicts of 1784, 1785 and 1787

Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria

The ruler whose edicts suppressed the order.

1745–1804 · Member and protector of Weishaupt

Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg

Enlightened ruler and patron who sheltered Weishaupt.

1741–1820 · Author of the claim that the Illuminati caused the French Revolution (interpretation)

Augustin Barruel

Jesuit author of an influential conspiracy theory.

1739–1805 · Author of a conspiracy theory about the Illuminati (interpretation)

John Robison

Scottish scientist and author of "Proofs of a Conspiracy".