Adam Weishaupt: Founder of the Illuminati and Controversial Figure of the Enlightenment

Learn about the life of Adam Weishaupt, the founder of the Illuminati, and the conspiracy theories surrounding him and the secret society he created.


Portrait of Adam Weishaupt



Adam Weishaupt was a German philosopher and founder of the Illuminati, a secret society that was active in Bavaria in the late 18th century.

Weishaupt was born on February 6, 1748, in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, and grew up in a strict Catholic household.

He studied law, theology, and philosophy at the University of Ingolstadt and eventually became a professor of law at the same university.


Weishaupt founded the Illuminati on May 1, 1776, with the aim of promoting Enlightenment ideals and opposing the influence of the Catholic Church.

The group's members included scholars, scientists, and other free thinkers who shared Weishaupt's beliefs. 

However, the group's secretive nature and opposition to the church led to their persecution by the Bavarian government.

The Illuminati was disbanded in 1785, and Weishaupt fled Bavaria to avoid arrest.


There have been many conspiracy theories about Weishaupt and the Illuminati. 

Some believe that the group still exists today and is secretly controlling world events.

Others believe that Weishaupt was a devil worshiper who wanted to overthrow Christianity and establish a new world order. 

However, there is no concrete evidence to support these claims, and most experts view them as unfounded and lacking in credibility.


Despite the controversy surrounding his beliefs and actions, Weishaupt remains an important figure in the history of philosophy and the Enlightenment.

His ideas and teachings had a profound influence on the intellectual and cultural development of Europe and beyond, and his legacy continues to be debated and discussed to this day.