Louis Althusser

1918 (Birmendreïs, Algeria) – 1990 (Paris)

Bachelard supervised Althusser’s doctoral thesis (though doubt has been expressed as to whether Bachelard could have read it that closely, given its shortcomings). He said his debt to Canguilhem was incalculable. He helped Lacan with his lectures — they had a complex personal and professional relationship, sometimes friends, sometimes foes. He taught Foucault, who remained a friend, and Derrida, who became particularly close (and was the only visitor he was allowed when he was incarcerated after strangling his wife). Macherey (who collaborated on a significant book), Serres and Miller were also among his students.