Voltaire is one of the most influential figures of the French Enlightenment—a thinker who used the power of words to challenge tyranny, religious fanaticism, and dogma. His name has become synonymous with the fight for freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and human rights. His works were sharp, ironic, and deeply philosophical, while his life was marked by exile, triumphs, and tireless intellectual activism. He was not only a brilliant writer but also a visionary who shaped European culture and modern thought. Here are fascinating facts about Voltaire that you might not have known.
- Voltaire’s real name was François-Marie Arouet. He adopted the pseudonym “Voltaire” after a stint in the Bastille, possibly as an anagram of Arouet le jeune, a Latinized version of his name.
- He was born in Paris in 1694 into a family of a notary. Although his father wished for him to become a lawyer, Voltaire chose the path of literature and philosophy.
- Voltaire spent eleven months in the Bastille after writing satirical verses about a powerful aristocrat. During his imprisonment, he completed his first play and decided to change his public identity.
- He was exiled multiple times from France and spent years in England, Prussia, and Switzerland. Even abroad, he maintained a reputation as a leading intellectual and kept correspondence with Europe’s greatest minds.
- During his time in England, Voltaire was exposed to the works of John Locke, Isaac Newton, and other prominent thinkers. This experience shaped his philosophical outlook and commitment to reason, liberty, and tolerance.
- His most famous philosophical novel, Candide, is a masterpiece of irony and satire. In it, Voltaire criticizes blind optimism and the passive acceptance of evil in the world.
- Voltaire was an extraordinarily prolific writer. His body of work includes more than 20,000 letters and approximately 2,000 books, pamphlets, poems, plays, and essays.
- He believed in God but rejected organized religion and its dogmas. His famous motto, Écrasez l’infâme (“Crush the infamous thing”), was directed at religious intolerance and church oppression.
- Voltaire was known for his wit and biting aphorisms. He is often credited with the phrase, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” though this was actually a summary of his beliefs rather than a direct quote.
- For nearly fifteen years, he shared a close intellectual partnership with Madame du Châtelet, a distinguished scientist. Together, they translated Newton and explored the fields of physics and metaphysics.
- Voltaire had remarkable financial acumen. He invested in government bonds, stock markets, and even lottery speculation, becoming one of the wealthiest philosophers of his time.
- To avoid censorship and persecution, he often published anonymously or under pseudonyms. Many of his works were banned or publicly burned by authorities.
- He maintained correspondence with numerous European monarchs. His relationship with Frederick the Great of Prussia is especially famous, and he lived at the Prussian court for some time.
- Despite conflicts with the Catholic Church, his friends managed to have him buried in Paris. In 1791, his remains were moved to the Panthéon in recognition of his national significance.
- Voltaire viewed freedom of conscience and speech as the foundations of human progress. He called for the abolition of torture, reform of the judicial system, and limitations on the power of church and monarchy.
- After the unjust execution of Protestant Jean Calas, Voltaire led a campaign to clear his name. His efforts helped overturn the ruling and sparked widespread debate on religious tolerance in France.
- He was passionate about mathematics, physics, history, and the natural sciences. Many of his writings reflect an interdisciplinary approach to philosophy and knowledge.
- Voltaire had no children, but he was surrounded by nephews, disciples, and admirers. His influence on later generations of philosophers and reformers is immeasurable.
- In his final years, he returned to Paris after a long period in exile. His return was a national sensation, and even the royal court could not ignore his popularity and achievements.
- Voltaire died in 1778 at the age of 83. Even on his deathbed, he remained witty and unyielding in his beliefs, standing firm as a defender of reason and liberty.
Voltaire was not just a writer or philosopher—he was a fearless advocate for justice, human dignity, and the power of reason. These interesting facts highlight the depth and breadth of his contributions to literature, philosophy, and European society. His ideas remain relevant today, and his unwavering commitment to freedom continues to inspire. To discover Voltaire is to discover the brilliance of independent thought, irony, and the enduring strength of the written word.
