Voltaire

Voltaire, a prominent French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and historian, was born on May 21, 1694. He was known for his wit, satire, and advocacy of freedom of speech.

François-Marie Arouet, later known as Voltaire, was born into an upper-class family. His father, François Arouet, a wealthy lawyer, provided him with the means to receive a good education. This event marks the beginning of the influential philosopher and writer Voltaire.

In 1717, Voltaire was imprisoned in the Bastille for 11 months.

Voltaire's first play, Oedipe, was performed at the Comédie-Française on November 18, 1718. The tragic play was written by Voltaire during his eleven-month imprisonment in Bastille, where he adopted his famous pen name. The play was based on the Athenian tragedy of Oedipus the King.

In 1723, Voltaire published 'La Henriade,' a poem dedicated to celebrating the life of Henry IV. The poem was divided into two parts, with the first being factual and historical, and the second reflecting Voltaire's imaginative ideas. 'La Henriade' raised questions about the political landscape of France, similar to Voltaire's other works, and had a significant impact on the country.

In 1726, Voltaire was beaten up, taken to the Bastille, and then sent to Calais after a quarrel with a French noble. This incident led to his exile to England where he furthered his intellectual development.

Voltaire lived in England from December 1727 to June 1728, where he was greatly influenced by the country's constitutional monarchy, freedom of speech and religion, and English literature, especially Shakespeare.

Before returning to France in 1728, Voltaire began writing his first two major essays in prose, including a history and a book about the English. This period marked a shift in his writing style from poetry to prose.

Voltaire was wrongly accused and imprisoned in Bastille for eleven months. Upon his release, he published 'Oedipe', which became his first major work and brought him significant fame.

Voltaire's work 'History of Charles XII' published in 1731, marked a significant shift in historiography. He rejected supernatural explanations and falsified evidence in historical accounts, advocating for a rationalistic approach to rewriting history.

Voltaire's work Zaïre was published in 1732. It is considered to be a classical tragedy that conveyed ideas of religious toleration in a palatable manner.

In June 1733, Voltaire released a collection of short essays that humorously criticized the French way of life, inspired by his time in England. He praised the English tolerance for freedom, which had a significant impact on reshaping France's views on liberty.

Voltaire published his work titled Philosophical Letters on the English in 1734. This work was inspired by his time in England, where he learned English, watched plays, and was influenced by the ideas of John Locke.

Voltaire wrote the Philosophical Letters on the English in 1735, where he discussed various topics including religion, political practices, science, and art. These letters were critical of the French Government and provided a different perspective based on his observations in England.

Voltaire wrote a play in 1736 called Fanaticism, or Mahomet the Prophet, which explores religious fanaticism and manipulation. The play portrays Muhammad ordering the murder of his critics and Voltaire criticizing him as an impostor and false prophet.

In July 1740, Voltaire journeyed to the Hague at the request of Frederick the Great to prevent the unauthorized publication of Frederick's work 'Anti-Machiavel' by a dubious publisher.

In a 1740 letter to Frederick the Great, Voltaire criticizes Muhammad and Islam, describing Muhammad as a brutal figure who used deception and violence to spread his religion. He expresses disdain for the Quran and the actions attributed to Muhammad.

In 1743, Voltaire was dispatched by the French government to Frederick the Great's court as an envoy and spy to gather intelligence on Prussia's military intentions during the War of the Austrian Succession.

In 1745, Voltaire was given the prestigious position of royal historiographer in France, recognizing his contributions to history and literature.

On January 1, 1747, Voltaire published 'Zadig,' a philosophical novel that explores themes of fate, wisdom, and the nature of good and evil. The work is considered a significant contribution to Enlightenment literature.

In 1749, Voltaire wrote a text in which he described the president of the Berlin Academy of Science as a buffoon. As a result, he was given an ultimatum to retract his words or leave Berlin. This incident highlights Voltaire's commitment to truth and his willingness to face consequences for his honesty.

Voltaire expressed his views on historiography, emphasizing the need for modern historians to focus on precise dates, facts, customs, and other aspects of society. He aimed to impose Enlightenment values on historical narratives and move away from antiquarianism, Eurocentrism, and religious bias.

Voltaire publishes Micromégas on January 1, 1752.

In 1753, Voltaire broke ties with Frederick II of Prussia, marking a significant shift in their relationship.

Voltaire, a prominent French philosopher, published his work 'Essay on the Customs and the Spirit of the Nations' in 1756. This influential essay explored various cultural and societal aspects of different nations, reflecting Voltaire's critical thinking and philosophical insights.

In 1757, d’Alembert's critical article 'Genève' published in the Encyclopédie caused a scandal in Geneva, revealing that it was not the ideal republic Voltaire had envisioned. This led to Voltaire's decision to leave the city and establish himself in Ferney in 1760.

In 1758, Voltaire purchased Château de Ferney, where he resided for the latter part of his life and became a center for intellectual discussions and a hub for Enlightenment philosophy.

On May 24, 1759, Voltaire's famous novel Candide was published. Inspired by tragic events like 'The Great Earthquake of Lisbon' and The Seven Years War, Candide aimed to critique the philosophy of optimism that suggests positive thinking can overcome all evil and negative social conditions.

Voltaire's famous novella 'Candide' was published in 1760, showcasing his satirical and philosophical views.

Frederick the Great expressed his admiration for Voltaire's literary talents, stating that he would even praise Voltaire's works to historical figures like Virgil, Sophocles, and Euripides.

In 1762, Voltaire published his Treatise on Tolerance, advocating for religious tolerance and criticizing religious fanaticism.

Voltaire's major philosophical work exposing the Calas affair and advocating for tolerance among different faiths and eras.

Voltaire published the Dictionnaire Philosophique on January 1, 1764. This work was a collection of essays and articles that reflected his philosophical thoughts and critiques on various subjects.

On June 16, 1764, Voltaire published the Philosophical Dictionary, a book containing 73 articles criticizing the Roman Catholic Church and other systems, focusing on the injustices of the church. It faced censorship in multiple countries due to its controversial claims on religion.

In 1766, Voltaire published his work titled Ignorant Philosopher, contributing to the Enlightenment movement with his philosophical ideas.

Voltaire's deliberate cultivation of a philosophy of action, advocating for common sense and religious toleration, was his major contribution to the Enlightenment. His writings aimed at combating superstition and prejudice, promoting rationality and tolerance.

Voltaire passed away in Paris at the age of 83. He returned to Paris from Ferney and was overwhelmed by the excitement, leading to his last words requesting to die in peace. He died peacefully in his sleep and was buried in an abbey in Champagne, Paris.

Voltaire passed away in June 1778, a month before Rousseau. His death marked the end of an era in French literature and philosophy.

Voltaire's ideas and writings greatly influenced the direction of European thought in the 18th century. Despite his death in 1778, he is often credited as an architect of the French Revolution of 1789.

On 11 July 1791, the National Assembly of France honored Voltaire as a precursor to the French Revolution by bringing his remains back to Paris and placing them in the Panthéon. The procession was attended by an estimated million people, and a grand ceremony was held, featuring music composed by André Grétry.

The Complete Works of Voltaire, a comprehensive chronological series initiated by Theodore Besterman, was expected to be finalized in 2018 with approximately 200 volumes, marking fifty years since the series commenced.