François-Marie Arouet a French philosopher was popularly known as Voltaire
He was also an enlightenment writer, historian. Famous for his wit, his attacks on the established aristocracy, Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state.
Voltaire was a versatile writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets.
He was an outspoken advocate of several liberties, despite the risk this placed him in under the strict censorship laws of the time. He frequently made use of his works in satirical form to criticise intolerance, religious dogma, and the French institutions of his day.
Not surprisingly Voltaire faced lifelong troubles with the authorities for critiques of dictatorial, unjust and hypocritical forces.
Voltaire's activities were to result in numerous imprisonments and exiles. Yet the brave man refused to give up his principles.
He mainly argued for religious tolerance and freedom of thought. He campaigned to eradicate dictatorial priestly and aristo-monarchical authority, and supported a constitutional monarchy that protects people's rights.
The character and beliefs of the man can be judged by his words and actions. In arguing a particular case he declared, "I do not agree with what you say, but I shall defend to my dying breath your right to say it."
Despite great pressure and threats from the aristocracy and the Church, Voltaire refused till his dying breath to retract his well-known criticism of the Church.
He was also an enlightenment writer, historian. Famous for his wit, his attacks on the established aristocracy, Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state.
Voltaire was a versatile writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets.
He was an outspoken advocate of several liberties, despite the risk this placed him in under the strict censorship laws of the time. He frequently made use of his works in satirical form to criticise intolerance, religious dogma, and the French institutions of his day.
Not surprisingly Voltaire faced lifelong troubles with the authorities for critiques of dictatorial, unjust and hypocritical forces.
Voltaire's activities were to result in numerous imprisonments and exiles. Yet the brave man refused to give up his principles.
He mainly argued for religious tolerance and freedom of thought. He campaigned to eradicate dictatorial priestly and aristo-monarchical authority, and supported a constitutional monarchy that protects people's rights.
The character and beliefs of the man can be judged by his words and actions. In arguing a particular case he declared, "I do not agree with what you say, but I shall defend to my dying breath your right to say it."
Despite great pressure and threats from the aristocracy and the Church, Voltaire refused till his dying breath to retract his well-known criticism of the Church.
François-Marie Arouet popularly known as Voltaire (1650 -1722)
Whilst on his deathbed, Voltaire was asked by a Catholic priest to renounce Satan. With a smile he replied,
"Now is not the time to make new enemies"
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