Voltaire

Born in Paris on November 21, 1694, François-Marie Arouet, who would become famous as Voltaire, was a central figure in the European Enlightenment. His sharp wit and prolific output across plays, novels, essays, and scientific works challenged the status quo of his time. Voltaire's advocacy for civil liberties, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state, coupled with his critiques of Christianity and slavery, marked him as a revolutionary thinker. His magnum opus, "Candide," satirized the optimism of the era and critiqued philosophers and political systems alike. Despite frequent clashes with French authorities leading to imprisonment and exile, Voltaire's influence was profound and lasting. He passed away on May 30, 1778, in Paris, but his ideas on tolerance and rational thought continue to inspire to this day.

Voltaire's early life was shaped by controversy, from his education at the Collège Louis-le-Grand, where he developed a love for literature and a skeptical view of religion, to his exile in England, which broadened his philosophical and political horizons. Throughout his life, Voltaire engaged in public debates through his extensive writings, contributing significantly to the Enlightenment's critique of societal norms and governance. His works, filled with sharp criticism of French institutions, religion, and the monarchy, made him both a celebrated and contentious figure. Despite personal and professional challenges, including his fraught relationship with the French monarchy and the Catholic Church, Voltaire's legacy as a champion of reason, tolerance, and freedom remains a cornerstone of Western thought.