Didier Diderot descended from families of local craftsmen from the city of Langres, Champagne.
His father, Denis Diderot (1654–1726), senior, was a master craftsman, or rather a knife forgemaster, maître coutelier, and his mother was Nicole Beligné (1655–1692).
Her father was François Beligné (1625–1697)[2] who was also knife blacksmith, her mother was Catherine Grassot.
From his father-in-law Beligné Denis Diderot adopted the labeling of their own products: a pearl, la perle.
[7][8][9] Didier Diderot was a specialist in the manufacture of medical and surgical cutting instruments, and his lancets were sought after by teaching doctors.