The origin story of Voltaire is a tale told in chapter 26 of “30 Philosophers.” It is the story of the birth of the Enlightenment and Voltaire’s fight for his right to write.
It begins in Paris, where François-Marie Arouet was born on November 21, 1694, to a middle-class family. His father, a successful lawyer, envisioned a legal career for his son, but François-Marie had other plans. From a young age, he displayed a sharp intellect and wit, earning him a place at the prestigious Collège Louis-le-Grand. Here, he immersed himself in classical works that would shape his future as a writer and philosopher.
By 1711, at just 17 years old, François-Marie faced a crossroads. Defying his father’s wishes, he chose literature and philosophy over law, stepping boldly into the Parisian intellectual scene. Over the next few years, his wit and eloquence earned him both admiration and enemies. In 1716, his sharp tongue led to exile for insulting a French Regent. Undeterred, he returned to Paris a year later, only to be imprisoned in the infamous Bastille for his biting satire targeting the government and the Church.
Rather than breaking his spirit, the Bastille became a crucible for François-Marie. Using books and writing materials secured through clever negotiations, he penned his first play, Oedipus. Released in 1718 after a year in prison, he emerged as Voltaire, a pen name symbolizing his transformation into a fearless defender of free thought. Later that year, Oedipus premiered to wide acclaim, cementing Voltaire’s reputation as a rising star of the Enlightenment and beginning his legacy as a tireless satirist who wielded his pen against oppression.