François Voltaire

François-Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire, was a prominent French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and critic of societal and religious institutions in the 18th century. Renowned for his wit, advocacy of free speech, and emphasis on reason and individual rights, he challenged traditional authority and championed principles like liberty, tolerance, and justice. His works, including essays and satirical writings, influenced modern notions of democracy and civil liberties. Voltaire's ideas contributed significantly to the intellectual movement that encouraged critical thinking and the questioning of existing societal norms during the Age of Enlightenment.