VOLTAIRE

François-Marie Arouet, best known as Voltaire, was born on the 21st of November 1694. He was born into a large family, and was the youngest of five children. Voltaire’s father was a lawyer, and his mother was from a family of French nobility. Voltaire was nicknamed Zozo by his family. He was educated at the College Louis Le Grand and he was taught Latin and theology. He later learned English, Italian and Spanish. When he left school he set out to become a writer, even though his family did not support his wishes. His father made him study law, but Voltaire continued to write. His work was liked by aristocratic families because it was witty. He spent much of his early life in Paris, and it is there that he took on the name, Voltaire.

Voltaire

Voltaire is best known for being an Enlightenment writer and philosopher. He wrote all sorts of things, from poems, to plays and novels to scientific works.  His best known work, Candide, was written in 1759. He is famed for his literary attacks on the well established Catholic Church, as well as for his humor and wit. Voltaire was a revolutionary thinker who pushed for freedom of expression and freedom of religion. He did not think that it was right for the state to tell its people what religion was right, and what to believe. Voltaire knew that what he was doing was risky because it went against the censorship laws of the time, but he believed so strongly in what he wrote, that he pushed on, and spoke out anyway.

Voltaire’s reputation developed as a writer started out when he spoke out and criticized the Parisian authorities in his written works, with particular emphasis on the lack of freedom of thought for the French people. As a result of the rebellious nature of his writing, Voltaire often found himself in and out of prison. Despite that, his writing remained well liked amongst many people. One of his earliest plays was written during one of his longest stays in a prison in Bastille. The play was released soon after Voltaire was released, and the play did really well, helping to establish Voltaire’s reputation as a great play write. It was so good that King George of England gave him a medal for his play because they liked it so much.
 
Voltiare died on the 30th May 1778, as one of the greatest literary figures of his time, if not of all time.  In particular, he is known for having a large impact on the Age of Enlightenment and the growth of liberty.

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