Voltaire

Date of Birth: November 21, 1694

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: May 30, 1778

Biography

François-Marie Arouet, known by his pen name Voltaire, was born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, France. He was a writer, historian, and philosopher during the French Enlightenment, renowned for his wit, criticism of Christianity—especially the Roman Catholic Church—and advocacy for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the separation of church and state. Voltaire was a prolific writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. His most famous work, “Candide,” remains a staple of Western literature. Voltaire was educated by Jesuits at the Collège Louis-le-Grand (1704–1711), where he learned Latin and Greek. He later became fluent in Italian, Spanish, and English. Voltaire’s sharp wit and complex political views made him a controversial figure. He was imprisoned in the Bastille for nearly a year in 1717 for satirical verses that were critical of the French government. He later lived in England for three years, where he was influenced by the country’s constitutional monarchy and respect for civil liberties. Upon his return to France, Voltaire continued to write and became a wealthy man through successful investments and his literary success. He later moved to Switzerland and then to Ferney, France, where he spent the last 20 years of his life, turning Ferney into a hub of intellectual activity. Voltaire died on May 30, 1778, in Paris.

5 Interesting Facts about Voltaire

1. Voltaire’s real name was François-Marie Arouet.

2. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and over 2,000 books and pamphlets.

3. Voltaire was fluent in multiple languages, including French, Latin, Greek, Italian, Spanish, and English.

4. He was imprisoned in the Bastille for nearly a year in 1717.

5. Voltaire’s home in Ferney became a center for Enlightenment thought and intellectual discussion.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Voltaire

1. “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

2. “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”

3. “Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.”

4. “The best is the enemy of the good.”

5. “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Voltaire was estimated to be equivalent to several million dollars in today’s currency, largely due to his successful investments and literary success.