When did Voltaire arrive in Great Britain to write Letters on the English?
Voltaire arrived in Great Britain during the year 1726. He remained there until 1729, a period that shaped his entire worldview.
Questions about Letters on the English
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the original French title of Voltaire's Letters on the English published in 1734?
A French edition followed quickly in 1734 under the title Lettres philosophiques. Authorities in France viewed this work as a direct attack on their government system and moved to suppress it with great speed and force.
Which religious groups does Voltaire discuss in the first four letters of Letters on the English?
The first four letters focus entirely on Quaker customs and beliefs. Voltaire noted their lack of baptism rituals and recorded their rejection of communion ceremonies.
How does Voltaire compare Isaac Newton and René Descartes in Letters on the English?
Voltaire contrasts Isaac Newton with René Descartes extensively in letters fourteen through seventeen. A eulogy by Fontenelle compared Newton to Descartes after Newton died in 1727, but British scholars rejected this comparison initially.
Why did Voltaire praise the English trade system in Letter ten of Letters on the English?
Trade contributed significantly to national liberty according to Voltaire. That freedom in turn expanded commercial opportunities further and allowed naval riches and power to stem directly from this economic engine.