Voltaire Philosopher, novelist, historian, playwright and poet of the Enlightenment, one of the greatest French writers. Date of Birth: 21.11.1694 Country: France

1. Biography of Voltaire
2. Early Life
3. Early Career and Imprisonment
4. Conflict and Exile
5. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Voltaire

Voltaire, whose full name was François-Marie Arouet de Voltaire, was a French philosopher, novelist, historian, playwright, and poet of the Enlightenment era. He was one of the greatest French writers and played a significant role in the intellectual preparation for the French Revolution in the late 18th century. Voltaire's name is associated with the spread of Voltaireanism in Russia, which championed religious freedom and skepticism towards authority.

Early Life

Voltaire was born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, France. He lost his mother at the age of seven and was raised by his father, François Arouet, a notary. He spent six years at the Jesuit College of Louis-le-Grand in Paris. Despite his father's intentions for him to study law, Voltaire was more interested in poetry and dramas. He frequented the circle of free-thinking aristocrats known as the "Society of the Temple," which was centered around the Duke of Vendôme, the head of the Order of Malta.

Early Career and Imprisonment

After getting into trouble due to his satirical poems targeting the Duke of Orléans, Voltaire was imprisoned in the Bastille. It was during his eleven months in prison that he began writing his famous epic poem, "Henriade." His tragedy "Oedipe," which was performed at the "Comédie Française," gained him recognition as a worthy rival to Sophocles, Corneille, and Racine. From then on, he adopted the aristocratic title "de Voltaire" and achieved fame under that name.

Conflict and Exile

In 1725, Voltaire offended a member of one of France's most noble families, the Chevalier de Rohan-Chabot, at the Opera. This led to a fight at the "Comédie Française" two days later. Voltaire was later attacked and beaten by Rohan-Chabot and his associates. Instead of punishing the aristocrat, the government decided to imprison Voltaire in the Bastille. He was released after two weeks on the condition that he would leave Paris and live in exile. Voltaire chose to go to England, where he arrived in May 1726 and stayed until the end of 1728 or early 1729. During his time in England, he enthusiastically studied various aspects of English life, literature, and social thought. He was particularly impressed by the lively performances of Shakespeare's plays.

Later Years and Legacy

Upon returning to France, Voltaire spent the next twenty years mostly living with his mistress, Madame du Châtelet, at her estate in Cirey, near the border of Lorraine. He became interested in Newtonian physics under her influence, alongside his literary pursuits. In 1745, he became the Royal Historiographer and was elected to the French Academy. In September 1749, Madame du Châtelet unexpectedly passed away. Voltaire then accepted an invitation from Frederick the Great to live at the Prussian court. However, their relationship eventually deteriorated, and Voltaire managed to escape from Frederick's grasp in 1753.

After his escape, Voltaire was unable to return to Paris because it was believed he had fled to Germany three years earlier. He settled in Geneva and later purchased two castles, Thorney and Ferney, near the French border. He lived there for about twenty years, engaging in various scientific, agricultural, and literary endeavors. Voltaire's works, published in an edition by Moland, consist of fifty volumes, each with nearly six hundred pages, along with two large volumes of indices. His writings include numerous tragedies, light poetry, satirical verses, philosophical poems, and historical works.

Voltaire is best known for his philosophical novel "Candide" (1759), which explores the adventures and misfortunes of a naive young man named Candide. The novel satirizes the idea of optimism and its flaws. Throughout his life, Voltaire remained a staunch deist and advocated for religious and political freedom. He used his writings to criticize wars, persecutions, and champion the importance of individual liberty. Voltaire's legacy as one of the founders of the Enlightenment and his contributions to literature, philosophy, and history continue to be revered to this day. He passed away on May 30, 1778, in Paris, surrounded by admiration and energy for his various projects.