Table of Contents

Voltaire

Birth

Voltaire was born François-Marie Arouet on November 21, 1694, in Paris, France.1)

Pen Name

He adopted the pen name “Voltaire” in 1718, which he used for the rest of his life.2)

Prominent Figure Of Enlightenment

Voltaire was a prominent figure of the Enlightenment, a philosophical movement in 18th-century Europe that emphasized reason, science, and individualism.3)

Known For Many Traits

He was known for his wit, satire, and advocacy for civil liberties, including freedom of religion and freedom of speech.4)

Was Supposed To Study Law

Voltaire's father wanted him to study law, but he was more interested in literature and philosophy.5)

Wrote Many Works

He wrote plays, poems, essays, novels, and historical works, covering a wide range of topics.6)

Candide

Voltaire's most famous work is the satirical novella “Candide,” published in 1759, which criticizes optimism and explores the problem of evil in the world.7)

Prolific Correspondent

He was a prolific correspondent and wrote thousands of letters to friends, scholars, and public figures throughout his life.8)

Critized French Government

Voltaire was exiled to England for nearly three years (1726-1729) after criticizing the French government and offending a nobleman with his writing.9)

Influenced By English Thinkers

During his time in England, Voltaire was influenced by English thinkers such as John Locke and Isaac Newton.10)

Returned To France

He returned to France in 1729 and continued to write prolifically, producing works on philosophy, history, science, and religion.11)

Deist

Voltaire was a deist, believing in a rational God who created the universe but did not intervene in human affairs.12)

Defended Religious Tolerance

Despite his criticism of organized religion, Voltaire defended religious tolerance and condemned religious persecution.13)

Famous Saying

He famously said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” illustrating his commitment to freedom of speech.14)

Tumultuous Relationship

Voltaire had a tumultuous relationship with the French authorities, often facing censorship and imprisonment for his writings.15)

Living In Exile

He spent several periods of his life living in exile to avoid persecution for his controversial ideas.16)

Fluent In Many Languages

Voltaire was fluent in multiple languages, including French, Latin, English, Italian, and Spanish.17)

Member Of Intellectual Circles

He was a member of several intellectual circles and corresponded with leading thinkers of his time, including Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Benjamin Franklin.18)

Advocated For Political Reform

Voltaire was critical of the institution of monarchy and advocated for political reform, including greater power for the people and limits on royal authority.19)

Advocate For Justice

He was a passionate advocate for justice and campaigned against miscarriages of justice, such as wrongful convictions and torture.20)

Interest In Science

Voltaire had a keen interest in science and wrote extensively on scientific topics, including physics, biology, and astronomy.21)

Newtonian Physics

He popularized the ideas of Newtonian physics in France and helped to advance scientific knowledge during the Enlightenment.22)

Supporter Of Vaccination

Voltaire was an early supporter of vaccination, advocating for the use of inoculation to prevent smallpox.23)

Interest In Economics

He was also interested in economics and wrote about topics such as trade, finance, and taxation.24)

Sharp And Clever

Voltaire had a sharp wit and was known for his clever aphorisms and bon mots.25)

Critic Of Superstition

He was a lifelong critic of superstition and irrationality, advocating for a rational and empirical approach to understanding the world.26)

Prolific Playwright

Voltaire was a prolific playwright, with works such as “Zaïre,” “Mahomet,” and “The Orphan of China” among his most famous plays.27)

Proponent Of Despotism

He was a proponent of enlightened despotism, believing that enlightened monarchs could promote progress and reform from above.28)

Complex With Women

Voltaire had a complex relationship with women, often forming intense friendships with female intellectuals but also expressing misogynistic attitudes in some of his writings.29)

Advocate For Animal Rights

He was an early advocate for animal rights and spoke out against cruelty to animals.30)