Voltaire (1694 – 1778), born François-Marie Arouet, was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and satirist known for his wit and fierce advocacy of civil liberties. A vocal critic of religious dogma, censorship, and political oppression, he championed freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and the separation of church and state. His most famous work, Candide (1759), is a satirical novella that mocks optimism and critiques the corruption of society.
Born in Paris to a middle-class family, Voltaire was educated by Jesuits and displayed early literary talent. Defying his father’s wishes, he pursued a writing career and gained notoriety for his sharp critiques of the French monarchy and the Catholic Church. His satirical verses led to multiple imprisonments in the Bastille and, in 1726, exile in England, where he was deeply influenced by British constitutional government and intellectual freedom.
Returning to France, he gained fame with Letters Concerning the English Nation (1733), which praised British society while condemning French absolutism. This work was banned, forcing him to flee to Lorraine. He later spent years at the court of Frederick the Great in Prussia before settling in Ferney, where he wrote prolifically and became a leading voice of the Enlightenment.
Voltaire’s works, including Zadig and Philosophical Dictionary, attacked religious fanaticism and tyranny. His defense of wrongfully accused individuals, such as Jean Calas, cemented his reputation as a defender of justice. He died in 1778, celebrated as one of the most influential thinkers of his time, whose ideas helped shape modern democratic values.