Voltaire

Term Paper # 108872

Literature > French
Philosophy > History - 18th Century

A biography of the life and work of the French novelist Voltaire.

1,389 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2008 | United States

Published on: Nov 03, 2008

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how Voltaire, an author and philosopher in eighteenth-century France, led a life a persecution for his crusade against tyranny and bigotry. The paper relates that Voltaire, who was born in France, was forced into exile on several occasions because of his works and that some of his greatest works may have been completed while in exile or in prison. The paper also relates that, while working as a historian, Voltaire used stories from ancient Greece and Rome to show that society prospers when the people are allowed to be free thinkers. Though he was not an atheist, Voltaire used his writings to preach against a church that did teach tolerance toward others.

From the Paper:

"Voltaire, born Francois Marie Arouet, was born on November 21, 1694 in Paris, France. As a teenager, Voltaire attended a Jesuit college in Paris, "Louis-le-Grand," where he said he learned nothing but "Latin and the Stupidities." This statement will be the summation of Voltaire's style of thinking. Voltaire left school at the age of seventeen and incorporated himself into the circle of Parisian aristocrats. Voltaire also became fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian; he even studied law for a couple of years. Voltaire became an immediate favorite among societal intellects and noblemen with his humorous verses. This would soon become his downfall. In 1717, Voltaire was imprisoned in the Bastille for eleven months for writing a satire that demonized the French government. "

Sample of Sources Used:

"Candide." Jalic Inc. 2000-2008. The Literature Network. <http://www.online-literature.com/voltaire/candide/>.
Chew, Robin. "Voltaire, Author and Philosopher." November 1995. The Lucid Cafe.com. < http://www.lucidcafe.com /library/95nov/voltaire.html>.
Liukkonen, Petri. "Voltaire." 2003. The Author's Calender. <http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/voltaire.htm>.