1. Voltaire
• Real namne: François-Marie
Arouet
• Writer, historian and
philosopher
• Main work: Candide,
Philosophical Letters, The
Century of Louis XIV etc
“I do not agree with what you
have to say, but I'll defend to
the death your right to say it”
- Voltaire

2. The early life of Voltaire
• Studied at “Louis-le-grand”, Jesuit Collage, in Paris
• Left school at 17
• Wanted to study literature  The father wanted him to study
law
• Prepended to study law and later he also pretended to work at
a law firm while he wrote

3. How Voltaire criticized
• Early Voltaire was imprisoned in the Bastille because of a
epigram where he criticized the French regime with satire
• Voltaire adopted the pen- name Voltaire in the bastille
• Through his literature he criticized :
- The French government
- The Monarchy
- The Catholic church
• This resulted in a numerous imprisonments and exiles

4. Inspiration
• His critical work
influenced
- French revolution
- American revolution
• Inspired by
Shakespeare
• Great Britain’s
- Monarchy
- Freedom of speech and
religion