Here is the biography of Voltaire:
Voltaire, born François Marie Arouet on November 21, 1694, in Paris, was a future proponent for victims of injustice and tyranny during the years prior to the French Revolution. He was educated in Paris by the Jesuits and initially studied law before deciding to become a writer.
Known for his witty, thought-provoking, and socially critical writings, Voltaire's work inspired France's common people but angered the royalty. In 1717, he was imprisoned in the Bastille for 11 months for ridiculing the Duc d'Orléans. During his imprisonment, he rewrote his tragedy "Oedipe," which brought him enormous fame and notoriety upon its publication.
Voltaire was forced to go into exile in England in 1726, where he became fascinated with the plays of William Shakespeare. Although he was shocked by their "barbaric" nature, he was deeply affected by their genius, energy, and human drama. He felt that France had much to learn from England's literature.
After three years in England, Voltaire returned to France and wrote plays, poetry, and historical and scientific treatises. His 1734 work "Lettres philosophiques" was published, but it sparked scandal and harshly criticized the religious and political institutions. As a result, a warrant for his arrest was issued, and he fled, taking refuge at Cirey in Champagne in the home of Gabrielle Emilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil Marquise du Châtelet.
Voltaire lived with Gabrielle for 15 years, working on philosophical and scientific topics, including her translation of Isaac Newton's "Principia." Tragedy struck when Gabrielle died in childbirth in 1749, and Voltaire was overwhelmed with grief.
Voltaire eventually regained favor at the French court and was appointed its royal historiographer. In 1755, he was living near Geneva, Switzerland, and wrote his most famous work, the satirical "Candide," in 1759. He later produced many anti-religious writings and his 1764 "Dictionnaire philosophique."
Voltaire's fame became worldwide, and he was called "Innkeeper of Europe." He entertained chic philosophers and literary figures and took a keen interest in the case of Jean Calas, whose innocence he helped to establish. In 1761, Calas was accused of murdering his eldest son, but Voltaire's campaign resulted in a revision of the trial, and Calas was declared innocent in 1765.
Voltaire returned to Paris in 1778, 28 years after leaving, and was welcomed as a beloved national celebrity. However, the frenzied excitement of his adoration from the French people reportedly aggravated his precarious health, and he died a painful death on May 30, 1778, at the age of 83.
Voltaire's body was buried at the Abbey of Scellières, but his heart was removed and now lies in the Bibliothèque nationale in Paris. His brain was also removed but disappeared following an auction. In 1814, a group of right-wing religious "ultras" stole Voltaire's remains from his enormous sarcophagus and dumped them in a garbage heap, where they went undetected for about 50 years.
