When and where was François-Marie Arouet born?
François-Marie Arouet was born in Paris on the 21st of November 1694. He entered the world as the youngest child of a minor treasury official and a woman from the lowest rank of French nobility.
Questions about Voltaire
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why did François-Marie Arouet change his name to Voltaire?
Arouet changed his name to Voltaire after spending time in the Bastille prison from the 16th of May 1717 until the 15th of April 1718. The new name functions as an anagram of his birth surname and suggests speed and daring while reversing the syllables of Airvault, his family's home town.
What role did Émilie du Châtelet play in Voltaire's life at Cirey?
Émilie du Châtelet lived with Voltaire for sixteen years at her husband's château located on the borders of Champagne and Lorraine starting in 1733. She translated Newton's Latin Principia into French creating the definitive version used until the twenty-first century and collaborated with him on scientific experiments.
How did Frederick the Great treat Voltaire during their time together in Potsdam?
Frederick the Great invited Voltaire to Potsdam in mid-1750 making him a chamberlain who received a salary of twenty-thousand French livres annually. Their relationship deteriorated when Voltaire was accused of theft by Abraham Hirschel and later when Frederick ordered all copies of Diatribe du docteur Akakia burned.
When did Voltaire purchase the estate that became Ferney-Voltaire?
Voltaire purchased the large estate called Les Délices near Geneva in early 1755 before buying an even larger estate at Ferney on the French side of the border in late 1758. The town adopted his name calling itself Ferney-Voltaire which became its official designation in 1878.
What historical works did Guillaume de Syon identify as Voltaire's best-known histories?
Guillaume de Syon argues that Voltaire's best-known histories include History of Charles XII published in 1731, The Age of Louis XIV released in 1751, and Essay on the Customs and the Spirit of Nations appearing in 1756. These works broke from tradition by emphasizing customs social history and achievements in arts and sciences rather than just military campaigns.