Voltaire, a leading figure of the European Enlightenment, was known for his wit, sharp critique of religion, and prolific writing career. After early struggles, including imprisonment in the Bastille, he traveled to England and later Berlin. His masterpiece Candide challenged philosophical optimism. Voltaire spent his final years advocating for justice and religious tolerance before his death in 1778, and his remains were later moved to the Panthéon..

 

François-Marie Arouet, better known by his pen name Voltaire, was born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, France. As one of the most influential philosophers and writers of the Enlightenment, Voltaire is remembered for his wit, criticism of organized religion, and defense of civil liberties. Despite being born into a middle-class family, Voltaire’s father, a notary, intended for him to pursue a career in law. However, Voltaire found little interest in the legal profession and quickly turned his attention to writing.

In the early years of his career, Voltaire’s sharp wit and biting criticism of the French aristocracy landed him in trouble. In 1717, he was imprisoned in the Bastille for nearly a year after making satirical remarks about the powerful Duc D’Orléans. During his time in prison, Voltaire began work on his first major play, Œdipe, which would be a resounding success and solidify his reputation as a dramatist.

After his release from the Bastille, Voltaire continued to struggle with the volatile political environment of the French court. In 1726, a quarrel with a nobleman led to another imprisonment, which prompted him to flee to England. Voltaire spent several years in England, where he immersed himself in English literature, philosophy, and science. He studied the works of prominent thinkers such as John Locke and Isaac Newton, and the political freedoms in England left a lasting impression on him. Upon his return to France, Voltaire produced numerous works, including Letters on the English (1733), in which he praised the freedoms and advancements of English society and sharply criticized French absolutism.

Voltaire’s outspoken nature, however, continued to cause friction with the French authorities. Once again, he found himself unwelcome at court and moved to Berlin at the invitation of Frederick the Great of Prussia. Although their relationship began amicably, Voltaire eventually fell out with Frederick, particularly after being involved in dubious financial schemes. Voltaire’s departure from Prussia was accompanied by a scathing, though unpublished, critique of Frederick, which was only made public after his death.

In 1755, Voltaire settled in Geneva, Switzerland, where he continued his prolific writing career. His most famous work, Candide, was published in 1759. Candide is a satirical refutation of the optimism espoused by the philosopher Leibniz, and it remains one of the most enduring works of the Enlightenment. In Candide, Voltaire took aim at the naive belief that “all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds,” exposing the absurdities of this idea through dark humor and irony.

In his later years, Voltaire became increasingly active in social causes, notably advocating for victims of religious persecution. He worked to overturn unjust convictions and spoke out against the oppressive power of the Catholic Church in France. In 1778, after decades of exile, Voltaire was permitted to return to Paris, where he was received with great fanfare. However, the excitement of his return is believed to have contributed to a decline in his health. He died shortly after on May 30, 1778.

Voltaire’s remains were reinterred in the Panthéon in Paris after the French Revolution, a symbol of his enduring legacy as a champion of freedom, reason, and justice.