I'm a short way into
A Wicked Company, which is primarily about Diderot and the Baron d'Holbach, but so far the salient things I've learned are:
Philippe I, Duke of Orleans was a
cross-dressing 'notorious' homosexual and successful military commander. He also carried out his familial obligations, producing Philippe II, Duke of Orleans, who was an atheist. As
Regent, the younger Philippe opposed censorship and pursued other enlightened reforms that never really went anywhere.
Finally, Rousseau
really liked to be spanked.