History of Voltaire

	Revision 15 . . (edit) December 15, 2001 2:23 am by (logged).45.39.xxx
	Revision 14 . . (edit) December 15, 2001 2:19 am by (logged).45.39.xxx
	Revision 13 . . (edit) December 15, 2001 2:17 am by (logged).45.39.xxx
	Revision 12 . . December 15, 2001 2:16 am by (logged).45.39.xxx [spelling and wikified]
	Revision 11 . . December 14, 2001 2:18 pm by (logged).188.192.xxx [*added an anecdote about Voltaire facing a mob]
	Revision 10 . . (edit) October 7, 2001 6:36 am by (logged).251.118.xxx

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Difference (from prior major revision) (minor diff)

Changed: 3c3

Voltaire was exiled to England 1726-1729. One day in London, he ws surrounded by an angry mob calling "Hang him! Hang the Frenchman!"

Voltaire was exiled to England 1726-1729. One day in London, he was surrounded by an angry mob calling "Hang him! Hang the Frenchman!"

Changed: 10c10

Voltaire distrusted democracy, which he saw as propagating the idiocy of the masses. To Voltaire only an enlightened monarch, advised by philosophes? like himself, could bring about change as it was in the king's rational? interest to improve the power and wealth of France in the world. Voltaire is quoted as saying that he "would rather obey one lion, than 200 rats of (his own) species." Voltaire essentially believed monarchy to be the key to progress and change.

Voltaire distrusted democracy, which he saw as propagating the idiocy of the masses. To Voltaire only an enlightened monarch, advised by philosophers like himself, could bring about change as it was in the king's rational? interest to improve the power and wealth of France in the world. Voltaire is quoted as saying that he "would rather obey one lion, than 200 rats of (his own) species." Voltaire essentially believed monarchy to be the key to progress and change.

Changed: 12c12

He is best known in this day and age for his novel, Candide, (1759) which satirizes the philosophy of Leibniz.

He is best known in this day and age for his novel, Candide, (1759) which satirizes the philosophy of Gottfried Leibniz.

Changed: 14c14

Rousseau sent a copy of his "Ode to Posterity" to Voltaire. Voltaire read it through and said, "I do not think this poem will reach its destination."

Jean-Jacques Rousseau sent a copy of his "Ode to Posterity" to Voltaire. Voltaire read it through and said, "I do not think this poem will reach its destination."