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Francois Marie Arouet (pen name Voltaire) was born on November 21, 1694 in Paris.
Voltaire's intelligence, wit and style made him one of France's greatest writers and philosophers.
Young Francois Marie received his education at "Louis-le-Grand," a Jesuit college in Paris where he said he learned nothing but "Latin and the Stupidities." He left school at 17 and soon made friends among the Parisian aristocrats. His humorous verses made him a favorite in society circles. In 1717, his sharp wit got him into trouble with the authorities. He was imprisoned in the Bastille for eleven months for writing a scathing satire of the French government. During his time in prison Francois Marie wrote "Oedipe" which was to become his first theatrical success, and also adopted his pen name "Voltaire."
In 1726, Voltaire insulted the powerful young nobleman, "Chevalier De Rohan," and was given two options: imprisonment or exile. He chose exile and from 1726 to 1729 lived in England. While in England Voltaire was attracted to the philosophy of john Locke and ideas of mathematician and scientist, Sir Issac Newton. He studied England's Constitutional Monarchy and its religious tolerance. Voltaire was particularly interested in the philosophical rationalism of the time, and in the study of the natural sciences. After returning to Paris he wrote a book praising English customs and institutions. It was interpreted as criticism of the French government, and in 1734 Voltaire was forced to leave Paris again.
At the invitation of a highly-intelligent woman friend, "Marquise du Chatelet," Voltaire moved into her "Chateau de Cirey" near Luneville in eastern France. They studied the natural sciences together for several years. In 1746, Voltaire was voted into the "Academie Francaise." In 1749, after the death of "Marquise du Chatelet" and at the invitation of the King of Prussia, "Frederick the Great," he moved to Potsdam (near Berlin in Germany). In 1753, Voltaire left Potsdam to return to France.
In 1759, Voltaire purchased an estate called "Ferney" near the French-Swiss border where he lived until just before of his death. Ferney soon became the intellectual capital of Europe. Voltaire worked continuously throughout the years, producing a constant flow of books, plays and other publications. He wrote hundreds of letters to his circle of friends. He was always a voice of reason. Voltaire was often an outspoken critic of religious intolerance and persecution.
Voltaire returned to a hero's welcome in Paris at age 83. The excitement of the trip was too much for him and he died in Paris. Because of his criticism of the church Voltaire was denied burial in church ground. He was finally buried at an abbey in Champagne. In 1791, his remains were moved to a resting place at the Pantheon in Paris.
In 1814, a group of "ultras" (a right-wing religious group) stole Voltaire's remains and dumped them in a garbage heap. No one was the wiser for some 50 years. His enormous sarcophagus (opposite Rousseau's) was checked and the remains were gone. His heart, however, had been removed from his body, and now lies in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris. His brain was also removed, but after a series of passings-on over 100 years, disappeared after an auction.
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∙ 6y ago
Voltaire was famous for his advocacy of freedom of speech, separation of church and state, and opposition to tyranny and intolerance. He believed in reason, tolerance, and progress, and his writings often critiqued authority and promoted social change.
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∙ 8y agoVoltaire (François-Marie Arouet) was the most influential person in the fight against and ultimate destruction of the class structure of society (the nobles, the priests and the workers) that had been in place for millennia and essentially no longer exists because of him. His writings had a major influence on the founders of the United States.
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∙ 12y ago..."the more enlightened men are, the more they will be free." (Upshur, 2002 p. 469) These are words that Voltaire spoke/wrote during the age of enlightenment. As methods of transportation improved, so too did the concept of the common people becoming more aware of their conditions. Were they treated fairly? Did they have the opportunities in work and education that they wished for? Voltaire was one of many who encouraged the people of the world to think independently and begin to question if they had what the needed.
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∙ 11y agoHe was remembered for his help in the civil rights in France.
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∙ 10y agoanswer
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What famous french philosopher ideas led to the development 1st amendment?
Voltaire.
What was Voltaire idea?
It is unclear that Voltaire knew what his main ideas were since he contradicted himself quite often.
Who was a writer who fought intolerance?
Voltaire was a French philosopher who fought intolerance. Voltaire's ideas helped spark and later fuel the French Revolution.
What famous book did Voltaire write?
candide
Who is a famous figure during the enlightenment period of time in history?
One famous figure during the Enlightenment period was philosopher Voltaire. He was known for his advocacy of freedom of speech, separation of church and state, and his criticism of social injustice. Voltaire's ideas influenced many thinkers of his time and continue to be studied today.
How did Voltaire influence Frederick II?
Voltaire influenced Frederick II by advocating for religious tolerance, freedom of speech, and opposition to absolute monarchy. They exchanged letters discussing ideas, with Voltaire providing intellectual support and advice to Frederick on governance and policies. Frederick implemented some of Voltaire's ideas in his reforms, showing his admiration for the philosopher's progressive views.
What were Voltaire main ideas?
Voltaire's main ideas included advocating for freedom of expression, religious tolerance, and separation of church and state. He believed in the power of reason, criticized superstition and intolerance, and championed individual liberty and justice. Voltaire's writings and activism greatly influenced the Enlightenment movement.
Why is Voltaire famous?
Voltaire is undoubtedly one of the most famous Enlightenment thinkers there ever was. Voltaire was once exiled to England because of his provocation, Voltaire became an absolute admirer of British culture, science, and political institutions. Most of all, he became a convert to the ideas of Newton, Bacon, and Locke (all three of whom were key figures during the Scientific Revolution in the previous century.Voltaire is famous for popularizing Newton's work in France and advocating British empiricism and the scientific method, as opposed to the more Cartesian method the French used at the time. Voltaire published Philosophical Letters after his return to France in 1734. This work was a huge sensation. He focused on religious and political liberty, which he portrayed through many comparisons between British and French methods and ideas. British open-mindedness and respect for scientists, as well as its support for research, was very unlike Louis XIV's intolerant attitude (remember that Louis XIV was an absolutist monarch). Thus he was famous for being a critic.In addition to this, Voltaire also had a famous line "Ecrasez l'infame" which translates to "crush infamy", directed at all forms of repression, fanaticism, and bigotry. Voltaire had a steadfast opposition to any sort of intolerance, but most of all, religious intolerance. He wanted to rescue morality and he argued for common sense and simplicity, believing that those reveal the good in humanity and establish stable authority. Thus, Voltaire was also famous for being intolerant of intolerance.And, of course, Voltaire is still very famous as a writer. He critiqued many aspects of French society and also published his own works. The Philosophical Letters mentioned above is one of them. But, Voltaire is most famous for publishing Candide, a novel. This novel ridicules those who believe humans have a ceaseless potential for improving themselves and their environment. Thus, Voltaire is also famous as a writer.
What were Voltaire's political ideas?
Voltaire believed in religious tolerance, freedom of speech, and separation of church and state. He was critical of absolute monarchy and advocated for a more just and enlightened society through reason and intellectual freedom. Voltaire's ideas influenced the French Revolution and continue to be important in the development of modern democracy.
What was Voltaire famous quote from the declaration?
Voltaire's famous quote from the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is: "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
What are two French writers in the 1700s who had new ideas?
Two French writers in the 1700s who had new ideas were Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Voltaire was known for his advocacy of freedom of speech and religion, while Rousseau's ideas on democracy and individual freedom greatly influenced the French Revolution.
What ideas did Rousseau and Voltaire give the french people?
They gave then the idea to fight for freedom .
