Famous bookseller, editor, writer, and the owner of the Mercure de France.

Author of numerous original works including De l’homme et de la reproduction de différents individus (1761), a Discours philosophique sur le beau (1779), and a Discours sur le plaisir et la douleur (1790). A friend and correspondent of Voltaire and Jean- Jacques Rousseau. Worked with Voltaire to prepare an edition of his complete works. Published such important works as the Oeuvres de Buffon and the Encyclopédie méthodique.

Born at Lille. Son of André-Joseph Panckouke (1700-1753), bookseller at Lille.