Crossword Genius

One showing some French skill in beginnings of “cogito ergo sum”? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

descartes

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'one showing' is the definition.
The answer is a person as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the definition.

'some french skill in beginnings of cogito ergo sum?' is the wordplay.
'some french' becomes 'des' ('some' in French).
'skill' becomes 'art' (both can mean a talent).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'beginnings of' suggests taking the first letters (the beginning letters).
The initial letters of 'cogito ergo sum' is 'ces'.
'art' placed within 'ces' is 'cartes'.
'des'+'cartes'='DESCARTES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for descartes that I've seen before include "One who thought" , "French mathematician and philosopher" , "Cogito ergo sum philosopher" , "Cogito, ergo sum man" , "French philosopher, d. 1650" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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