Voltaire | Brief Biography

Voltaire | Brief Biography

Voltaire | Brief Biography

Voltaire (Francois-Marie Arouet) was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit, his criticism of Christianity, especially the Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and separation of church and state. He was born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, France, and died on May 30, 1778, in Paris, France.

Voltaire’s parents were both members of the French middle class. His father, Francois Arouet, was a lawyer and his mother, Marie Marguerite Daumard, was a talented poet. Voltaire was educated by the Jesuits in Louis le Grand, where he learned Latin and developed a love for literature.

In 1717, Voltaire was imprisoned in the Bastille for 11 months for writing a satirical poem about the Regent of France, Philippe d’Orleans. During this time, he developed a strong hatred for religious and political intolerance, which would shape his future work.

After his release from prison, Voltaire moved to England, where he was influenced by the Enlightenment ideas of John Locke and Isaac Newton. He also became interested in Deism, a religious philosophy that posits the existence of a creator who does not intervene in the world. He also became interested in scientific advances and the work of Sir Isaac Newton, who was developing theories about the natural laws governing the universe.

In 1726, Voltaire returned to France and became a successful playwright, writing such works as “Oedipe” and “Zaire.” He also wrote several books, including “Letters on the English Nation” (1733), which was a critique of English society, and “Candide” (1759), which was a satirical work that attacked the idea of “optimism,” or the belief that everything in the world was for the best.

Voltaire’s most significant contribution to the Enlightenment was his critique of religion, particularly the Catholic Church. He was a strong advocate of freedom of religion and freedom of speech, and he believed that reason and evidence should be used to guide people’s beliefs and actions. He was also an advocate of tolerance and opposed the persecution of people for their religious beliefs.

Throughout his life, he was involved in several controversies and was frequently exiled from France. Despite this, he continued to write and publish works that challenged the established order and advocated for reform.

Voltaire died on May 30, 1778, in Paris, France, and was buried in the Pantheon, a symbol of his lasting impact on French history and culture. 0 0 0.

Sources:

“Voltaire.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2023.
“Voltaire.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2023.
“Voltaire.” The Biography.com website. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2023. ***

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