What is Voltaire best known for?

Voltaire is best known as the author of the satirical Candide and his philosophical works, which challenged the dominance of the Church and authoritarian government during the Enlightenment.

What is Voltaire's main philosophy?

Voltaire's main philosophy is that citizens should be tolerant and free to pursue their own thoughts, including religion provided this does no harm to the community. He was against organised religion and authoritarian government.

Why was Voltaire so significant?

Voltaire was significant as a key thinker in the Enlightenment because his works like Candide were so popular and his ideas on toleration and confidence in reason challenged the old way of thinking.

Voltaire Timeline

Definition

Voltaire (1694-1778) was a French author, historian, and philosopher whose thoughts on religious toleration and moderation of authoritarian power were influential during the Enlightenment. His most famous work today is the satirical Candide, which presents Voltaire's critical thoughts on other philosophers, the Catholic Church, and the French state in order to highlight the need for real solutions to everyday problems.

More about: Voltaire

Timeline

1694 - 1778
Life of the French author, historian, and philosopher Voltaire.
21 Nov 1694
Voltaire is born in Paris.
1718
Voltaire's first play, Oedipus, is successfully staged.
1726
Voltaie is imprisoned in the Bastille.
1734
Voltaire starts to live with Gabrielle Émilie, Marquise du Châtelet.
1734
Voltaire publishes his Letters on England.
1745
Voltaire is appointed the royal historiographer in France.
1756
Voltaire publishes his Essay on the Manners and Spirit of Nations.
1759
Voltaire publishes his Candide.
1762
Voltaire publishes his Treatise on Tolerance.
1764
Voltaire publishes his Philosophical Dictionary.
1766
Voltaire publishes his Ignorant Philosopher.
30 May 1778
Voltaire dies in Paris.