Special Sub-Topic: The Life of Voltaire Click Here To Play: The Life of Voltaire

Voltaire was born a rather sickly child in Paris on November 21st, 1694. What was his name through the early years?

Francois Marie Arouet. His father was a notary, and the family lived comfortably in Paris with a country home at Chatenay, five miles outside the city. He had one older brother, Armand, and an older sister, Catherine.

Voltaire was a precocious child as he was educated at the Jesuit College of St. Louis-le-Grand. His irreverence and quick wit frequently got him in trouble, and he was unjustly imprisoned in the Bastille for allegedly writing satires he did not write. While in the Bastille he changed his name to Voltaire. Later, when his writings parodied the monarchy and Catholic church, he was exiled from France to live for thirty-four months in which country?

England. He met everyone who was anyone during his stay there and wrote much about his experience with English religious toleration, the generosity of the people, and the "aristocracy of intellect".

Which writer's works did Voltaire characterize as "nature and sublimity", "force and fecundity", and called him "an amazing genius", but also criticized his "heavy grossness", "barbarisms", and "monstrosities"?

Shakespeare. Voltaire recognized the timeless genius of his writings, but was bound by his own eighteenth century Frenchman's prim, foolish, and artificial rules regarding authorship.

In which town did Voltaire purchase the seigniory as a residence in 1758 to avoid harassment from French officials?

Ferney, Switzerland. He lived there until 1778, and his residence still stands, although it is not open to the public.

Voltaire took up many causes to eradicate injustices during his long career. His most famous pronouncement is "Ecrasez l"infame" translated as "Crush the infamy". To what did Voltaire say he is referring?

Superstition. Many have falsely assumed he meant the Catholic Church, which he certainly had no love for. However, his own writings and accounts of others indicate he was specifically referring to superstition, which he held in very low esteem, as it leads to fanaticism.

Which of the following is not authored by Voltaire?

Gargantua and Pantagruel. Rabelais authored this work, which used the same irreverent and sometimes bawdy style of Voltaire. 'Candide' is his most famous work, and is a type of epic fantasy which explores human nature, politics, and religion. The 'Philosophical Dictionary' is an insightful and well researched work on philosophy and religion. 'The White Bull' is a lesser known play by Voltaire.

What is an unusual habit frequently attributed to Voltaire?

He drank over fifty cups of coffee per day. He frequented Le Procope, a Parisian coffeehouse which still exists, and is reputed to have consumed between fifty and seventy-two cups per day. Beethoven is reputed to have always counted out exactly sixty beans for each cup of coffee as a ritual.

Which of the following quotes is not attributed to Voltaire?

"If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.". The only quote not from Voltaire is from the brilliant author Anatole France, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1921.

Which European monarch was a great admirer of Voltaire, and was his host from 1749 to 1753?

Frederick the Great of Prussia. Frederick was very much an enthusiastic follower of the Enlightenment, wrote and played music, and was an avid reader, statesman, and military leader. Being a great admirer of Voltaire, he had offered invitations for him to stay at Sanssouci on several occasions prior to his stay.

Where is Voltaire buried?

The Pantheon, Paris. In the Pantheon one also finds the tombs of Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Louis Braille, Jean Jaques Rousseau, and Marie and Pierre Curie.