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Article: Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet; 1694–1778)
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
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VOLTAIRE (Fran
ç
ois-Marie Arouet; 1694
–
1778)
VOLTAIRE
(Fran
ç
ois-Marie Arouet; 1694
–
1778), French philosopher, historian, dramatist, and poet. Voltaire was born in Paris 21 November 1694, the son of a successful notary. A prolific philosopher, historian, and writer in numerous genres and a tireless champion of freedom of thought and expression, no figure better represents the spirit of the French Enlightenment than Voltaire.
Three years after the death of his mother (n
é
e Marguerite Daumard), Voltaire entered the Jesuit Coll
è
ge Louis-le-Grand in Paris, in 1704, where he spent the next seven years. Following his studies, Voltaire frequented the libertine ...