About Voltaire
Voltaire, born François-Marie Arouet in 1694, was a prominent French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher known for his wit and advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of speech and religious tolerance. His most famous works include the satirical novel "Candide," which critiques optimism and societal norms, and he was a fierce critic of the French government and the Church, leading to his numerous imprisonments and exiles. Voltaire's ideas and writings significantly influenced modern political thought and the development of secularism.
