Voltaire Autograph

Profession:
(1694-1778) French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher.

Year of Birth: 1694

Francois-Marie Arouet, better known by his pen name Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and historian. Born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, Arouet was a versatile and prolific writer, penning works in various genres, including poetry, plays, novels, and essays.

Voltaire was known for his wit, intelligence, and biting satire, which he used to criticize the French monarchy, the Catholic Church, and other institutions of his time. His works often challenged prevailing social, political, and religious norms, earning him both admiration and controversy during his lifetime.

Aside from his literary pursuits, Voltaire was also deeply involved in social and political activism, advocating for freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and the separation of church and state. He was a vocal critic of censorship and persecution, and he used his platform as a writer to promote enlightened ideas and social reform.

Voltaire's most famous works include the satirical novella "Candide" and the philosophical treatise "Letters on the English." His writings had a profound impact on the intellectual landscape of his time and continue to be studied and admired for their wit, insight, and enduring relevance.

Voltaire died on May 30, 1778, in Paris, leaving behind a legacy of wit, intelligence, and activism that continues to inspire readers and thinkers around the world. His ideas and writings have had a lasting influence on the development of modern thought and continue to be studied and debated in academic and intellectual circles.

Today, Voltaire is remembered as one of the greatest French writers of the Enlightenment period, a champion of reason, tolerance, and free expression, whose works continue to resonate with readers and scholars alike.