Voltaire

Author: Dai Jinbo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-01-01
Features: Voltaire (1694–1778) was a French bourgeois Enlightenment thinker, philosopher, historian, and writer. Voltaire's original name was F.M. Arouet, and he was born on November 21, 1694, in a wealthy bourgeois family in Paris. During his studies, he was influenced by liberal thought, particularly the works of P. Bayle against religious fanaticism. After graduating from high school, he devoted himself to literary creation, publishing satirical poems that exposed court corruption and the tyranny of the church. He was imprisoned in the Bastille twice in 1717 and 1725 and was forced to flee to England in 1726. In England, Voltaire diligently studied the advanced ideas of the bourgeoisie, becoming a follower of I. Newton and J. Locke. He enthusiastically supported the Enlightenment movement of the Encyclopedists, opposed the feudal autocratic system, advocated rule by enlightened monarchs, emphasized the freedom and equality of the bourgeoisie, and criticized the darkness and corruption of the Catholic Church. Voltaire's eloquence and his ability to mock with wit once made the reactionary church and autocratic rulers tremble with fear, while free thinkers and progressive individuals admired and revered him immensely. His extraordinary talent remains unmatched to this day. He spent his entire life in constant thought, relentless struggle, and tireless writing, leaving behind a wealth of invaluable legacy for future generations.