Voltaire
Voltaire, born François-Marie Arouet on November 21, 1694, in Paris, France, was a pivotal figure of the Enlightenment. He was a prolific writer, historian, philosopher, and advocate for civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade. Here are some key aspects of his life and legacy:
Early Life and Education
- Voltaire was born into a prosperous family. His father, François Arouet, was a notary.
- He received an education at the Collège-Louis-le-Grand, a Jesuit school, where he was exposed to classical literature and developed his wit and satirical skills.
Literary Career
- His writing career began with poetry and plays, but he gained fame for his Philosophical Dictionary and his epic poem, Henriade.
- His most famous work, Candide, published in 1759, is a satirical novella that critiques optimism, the Lisbon earthquake, and the social order.
- Voltaire also wrote numerous letters, essays, and pamphlets, often under pseudonyms or anonymously, to critique the French monarchy and the Catholic Church.
Philosophical Views
- Voltaire was a deist, believing in a creator who does not intervene in the universe. He criticized organized religion, particularly Christianity, for its intolerance and superstition.
- He championed civil liberties, including freedom of speech, separation of church and state, and the reform of legal systems.
- His advocacy for justice is evident in his support for the Calas affair, where he helped exonerate a Protestant man falsely accused of murdering his son.
Exile and Later Life
- Voltaire's satirical writings often led to conflicts with the French authorities. He was imprisoned twice in the Bastille and exiled to England from 1726 to 1729, where he was influenced by John Locke and Isaac Newton.
- In his later years, he settled in Ferney, near the Swiss border, where he continued his writing and became a central figure in the European intellectual community.
Legacy
- Voltaire's influence extended beyond literature into politics, philosophy, and human rights. His ideas inspired the French Revolution and continue to resonate in modern political thought.
- He is remembered for his aphorism, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it," although this was likely paraphrased by Evelyn Beatrice Hall.
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