François-Marie Arouet, known by his pen name Voltaire, was a prolific French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and historian, born in 1694. His works and ideas had a profound influence on social and political thought during the 18th century, and his advocacy for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state continues to be influential.
Voltaire was a prodigious author, having written more than 20,000 letters and 2,000 books and pamphlets. He touched on a broad range of topics from philosophy and history to science and drama. His sharp wit and clear, accessible style made his work popular throughout Europe.
One of Voltaire’s most prominent works is the satirical novella “Candide,” in which he criticizes Leibniz’s philosophy of optimism through the misadventures of the protagonist. Other notable works include “Letters on the English,” where he praised England’s constitutional monarchy and freedom of expression, contrasting it with the French system, which incited controversy and led to the book’s banning in France.
Voltaire spent several periods in exile due to his outspoken criticism of the French authorities. His critiques of the Church resulted in periods of imprisonment and exile, but he used these to his advantage, continuing to write and express his ideas.
He spent the last 20 years of his life in Ferney, near the French-Swiss border. During this time, he became actively involved in championing individual rights, often intervening in legal cases to support those who had been victims of religious and political intolerance.
Voltaire passed away in 1778 but his ideas continued to echo in the French Revolution and beyond, shaping the principles of modern Western societies. His contributions to literature, philosophy, and advocacy for human rights mark him as one of the most influential figures of the Enlightenment era.