Francois Marie Voltaire - Classic Literature Francois Marie Voltaire
Francois-Marie Arout De Voltaire was born in Paris in 1694. He was the son of a notary and was educated at the Jesuit College Louis-le-Grand. He was educated in the law, although he knew he wanted to be a writer.
Voltaire, based on false charges that he had insulted the Regent, Philippe II d’Orleans, was sent to the Bastille in 1717 for eleven months. While there, he rewrote his first tragedy in 1718, "Oedipe", and began the epic poem on Henry IV, the "Henriade". He began at that time to simply call himself "Voltaire".
Voltaire became famous due to "Oedipe" and won a pension from the Regent. Over the years, he managed to acquire an independent fortune through speculation. He was noted both for his generosity and his business acumen. His writing became satirical, particularly in his comments on society and those who inhabited it.
Voltaire was sent back to the Bastille in 1726. A young nobleman, the Chevalier de Rohan, resented comments Voltaire had written about him and had him beaten and imprisoned. He was released only after promising to go to England. This had a profound impact on Voltaire, and he struggled personally and through his writing against the arbitrariness of the judicial systems in France.
Voltaire spent two years in England where, through his friend Lord Bolingbrook, he met the greatest literary men of the time. He was strongly influenced by Newton and Locke, and was impressed by the greater freedom of thought he found in England.
While in England, Voltaire wrote a number of works. His history of Charles XII of Sweden remains a classic work of biography. He wrote several tragedies on his return to France. "Brutus" was published in 1730 and "Zaire" in 1732. He also wrote "Letters concerning the English Nation" published in English in 1733 and in French as "Lettres Philosophiques" in 1734. The book was banned in France.
Voltaire met Mme Du Chatelet in 1733, and he took up residence with her at Cirey under the eye of her husband, the Marquis. They shared a great many intellectual interests, particularly in science. The connection lasted until her death in 1749.
Voltaire continued his writing at Cirey as well. In 1736, he wrote "Elements de la philosophie de Newton". Additionally he wrote a parody of the Joan of Arc legends "La Pucelle" not published until 1755, and the dramas "Mahomet" (1742), "Meurope" (1743) and "Semiramis" published in 1748.
Voltaire continued to achieve recognition, admiration and fame, despite the satirical content of his work. Through the influence of Mme de Pompadour, Voltaire was made Royal Historiographer, Gentleman of the Kind’s Bedchamber, and a member of the French academy.
Voltaire had visited Berlin in 1743. After the death of Mme Du Chatelet, he accepted Frederick II’s offer to live at his court. Both men had unbending natures, and their relationship was stormy at times. After intervening in a quarrel and taking a position contrary to the king, the relationship grew cold and Voltaire suddenly left Prussia. Over time and at a distance, the men reconciled and resumed corresponding.
Voltaire then settled in Geneva, where he acquired two properties. He soon ran afoul of the authorities in Geneva. They objected to this habit of organizing private theatrical parties at his home. More telling was their objection to the article "GenEve" in which he held that the Calvinist pastors of Geneva had ceased to believe in organized religion. This resulted in violent controversy.
Voltaire purchased an estate "Ferney" just over the French border in 1758. He lived there until just before his death. He continued his correspondences with many of the leading figures of his time, continually sought justice for victims of religious or political persecution, and actively managed his estate. Of course, he continued to write as well.
Voltaire edited the works of Cornielle and wrote commentaries on the work of Racine. He also wrote a continuing stream of anonymous novels, articles and pamphlets attacking the established institutions of the time. In this vein, he wrote "Candide" in 1759 and "Leannot et Colin" in 1764. "Candide" attacks the philosophical optimism of Leibniz and expresses Voltaire’s own philosophy of practical common sense.
Voltaire died in 1778 at the age of 84. He had attended the first triumphal performance of his tragedy "Irene" in Paris, and it is speculated that the emotion was too much. In order to obtain a Christian burial, he had been forced to sign a partial retraction of his writings. This was considered insufficient by the church but he had refused to sign a more general retraction. To a friend he gave the following written declaration: "I die adoring God, loving my friends, not hating my enemies, and detesting persecution." An abbot secretly conveyed his body to an abbey where he was buried. In 1791, his remains were brought back to Paris and buried in the Pantheon.
