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=Francois Marie Arouet=

[[image:burell9history:voltaire.jpg width="219" height="287" align="left" caption="Francois Marie Arouet"]]Historical Background
Voltaire's real name was Francios-Marie Arouet. Born on November 21, 1694 in Paris, France. He was a middle class son of a treasury official. Voltaire attended Jesuit schools, from 1711-1713 he studied law. In 1718, he adopted the pen name Voltaire. He was one of the most famous Philosophers and writers of all time because of his wit and style. Voltaire’s intelligence, wit and style made him one of France’s greatest writers and philosophers. He spoke the languages of Latin, Greek, Spanish, Italian, and English. He worked for the French ambassador and had troubles with authority. He often attacked the government, as well as the Catholic church, which led to time in prison. Because of his difficulties with authority, it often led to imprisonments and exiles. Most of his confinement was spent because of satiric verses about aristocracy. [|Voltaire Quotes]

Impact on the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment is defined as an intellectual movement of religious skepticism, secularism, and liberal values,rooted in a belief in the power of human reason contradicted from human faith as well as authority, and opposed by the force of those who are anti-Enlightenment. Voltaire concentrated on two specific philosophical projects. First, he worked to introduce empiricism, following english and French ideals. Second, he stressed the theme of religious tolerance in all of his works. Voltaire dissagreed strongly with the idea of French rationalist tradition and worked to develop a French philosophy based on empiricism. Even though most of France solidly remained rationalism, Most of Voltaires ideas and principles are in the roots of the French's society. Voltaire was the most profound philosopher of his time, with his works such as the //Candide,// pointing out the flaws within humanity. Voltaires main impact on the Enlightenment was stredding the importance of religious tolerance, as well as empiricism. Empiricism is the belief in observation and experience asthe basis of knowledge, rather than logical deduction.

=Timeline= 1694- Voltaire was born into a wealthy family 1704- Farncois went to college at Louis-le-Grand 1711- Mr. Arouet returned home and devoted himself to literature 1713- Voltaire’s father sent him to Holland 1714- Voltarie’s poems got him in trouble and his father sent him away once more 1716- In May, having lampooned the regent Orleans, he is exiled to Tulle, then Sully 1722- He began his adventures as a “ secret diplomat” to Dubois. 1723- Publishes Henriade. 1726- Imprisoned in Bastille for three years, learns English, writes plays. 1729- Full acception to travel back to Paris. 1732- Produces one of his best plays, Zaire. 1733- Publishes letters to knock the Catholic church. 1745- Awarded histiographer of France. 1746- Accepted into the French Academy. 1748- Publishes Zadig. 1751- Stays in Berlin for three years, publishing two works. 1753- Leaves Berlin after a fight about rights. 1754- Exiled from France. 1759- Publishes Candide, thought of as a hero to France, everybody loves Francois. 1763- Publishes two more works. 1778- Dies as a hero in Paris, while in his sleep. =Histiography= Francios-Marie Arouet, who wrote under the name Voltaire, wrote essays to attack the government and the Catholic Church. Because of these essays, Voltaire was repeatedly arrested or put into exile. With his letters, essays, and stories, he fought against surrounding problems, and showed the truth behind the government. His best works were, HISTOIRE DE CHARLES XII, CANDIDE, L'HISTOIRE DU DOCTOEUR AKAKIA ET DU NATIF DE SAINT-MALO, and DICTIONNAIRE PHILOSPHIQUE. In fact, most of these books were banned, for example, HISTOIRE DE CHARLES XIII, caused so much troubled after it appeared in his //Philosophical Letters//(1734)//,// that Voltaire had to flee Paris and the book was banned. for more info, [|His works.] media type="youtube" key="rG08SICNCMQ?fs=1" height="385" width="480"POEM!!!