François-Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire, was born on 21 November 1694 in Paris, France, to a lawyer and a member of the lower nobility. He was the youngest of five children, with two brothers dying in infancy. Voltaire was educated by Jesuits at the Collège Louis-le-Grand, where he developed a passion for writing, despite his father's wishes for him to pursue law. After a brief stint as a secretary to the French ambassador in the Netherlands, he returned to France, where his satirical writings led to conflicts with authorities, resulting in imprisonment and exile.In 1718, following his release from the Bastille, he adopted the pen name Voltaire. His early works included the successful play Œdipe, which established his reputation. Voltaire's writings often critiqued religious intolerance and advocated for civil liberties, including freedom of speech and separation of church and state. His major work, Candide, published in 1759, satirized the optimistic philosophy of the time, particularly that of Gottfried Leibniz.Voltaire's career was marked by his prolific output, including plays, essays, and historical works. He spent time in England from 1726 to 1729, where he was influenced by the country's constitutional monarchy and greater freedoms. Upon his return to France, he continued to write and publish works that challenged the status quo, including Lettres philosophiques, which praised British society and criticized French absolutism. This work led to further exile, prompting him to seek refuge at the château of Émilie du Châtelet, with whom he had a long intellectual and romantic partnership.In the 1740s, Voltaire became involved with Frederick the Great of Prussia, serving as a chamberlain at the Prussian court. However, tensions arose, leading to his resignation and return to France. He settled in Geneva and later in Ferney, where he continued to write and engage in social issues, including the defense of individuals wrongfully persecuted for their beliefs. His advocacy for the Huguenot merchant Jean Calas, who was executed for alleged murder related to religious conversion, exemplified his commitment to justice and tolerance.Voltaire's later years were spent in Ferney, where he became a prominent figure in European intellectual circles, hosting notable guests and continuing his literary output. He published the Dictionnaire philosophique in 1752, which critiqued religious dogma and promoted rational thought. His works often reflected his deist beliefs, advocating for religious tolerance and critiquing organized religion.Voltaire died on 30 May 1778. His death was surrounded by controversy, with conflicting accounts of his final moments. Initially denied a Christian burial due to his criticisms of the Church, he was secretly interred in Champagne. In 1791, his remains were moved to the Panthéon in Paris, where he was honored as a precursor to the French Revolution. Voltaire's writings and ideas significantly influenced the Enlightenment and continue to resonate in discussions of civil rights and freedom of thought.